The Texas Department of Health has immunization requirements for those who attend child care, pre-school, and school. The state’s immunization requirements follow the current schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).  

For more information on immunization requirements visit Texas Department of State Health Services

Children enrolling in child care facilities, pre-school, pre-Kindergarten

Infants entering child care facilities must be up to date at the time of enrollment and are required to provide an updated certificate after completing all of the required vaccines due no later than 18 months of age.

  • Hepatitis B (HBV)

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)

  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)

  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) – age younger than 5 years only

  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – age younger than 5 years only

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 1 dose of each, normally given together as MMR

  • Varicella – 1 dose or credible history of disease

  • Hepatitis A – 1 dose, required by 18 months of age or older

Children enrolling in Kindergarten

  • Hepatitis B (HBV)

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)

  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR

  • Varicella – 2 doses or credible history of disease

  • Hepatitis A – 2 doses, required by 18 months of age or older

All children entering 7th grade (including currently enrolled students)

  • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (Tdap) – evidence of one Tdap dose given any time before 7th grade entry is required regardless of Td history

  • Varicella – 2 doses or credible history of disease

Children who are new enrollees in a TX school in grades other than Kindergarten

  • Hepatitis B (HBV)

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)

  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV – final dose on or after the 4th birthday

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR

  • Varicella – 2 doses or credible history of disease

  • New students entering grades other than 7th grade are not required to have Tdap

Medical or Religious Exemptions
Medical

To claim an exclusion for medical reasons, the child or student must present an exemption statement to the school or child-care facility, dated and signed by a physician (M.D. or D.O.), properly licensed and in good standing in any state in the United States who has examined the child or student. The statement must state that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccine required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the child or student or any member of the child’s or student’s household. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date signed by the physician.

Religious

To claim an exclusion for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, the child’s parent, legal guardian, or a student 18 years of age or older must present to the school or child-care facility a completed, signed and notarized affidavit on a form provided by the department stating that the child’s parent, legal guardian, or the student declines vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including because of the person’s religious beliefs.

For more information or to request an Exemption Affidavit go to Texas Department of State Health Services.

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