State Requirements for School Attendance

Immunization, Physical, and Dental Examination Requirements

The state of Pennsylvania requires that children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following Immunizations for attendance: 

For Attendance in Kindergarten:

• 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (DTP or DTaP) (one dose on or after the 4th birthday)

• 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)**

• 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella

• 3 doses of hepatitis B

• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity 

**A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after the previous dose

For Attendance in 7th Grade:

• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) by the first day of 7th grade

• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) by the first day of 7th grade

 For Attendance in 12th Grade: 

• Two (2) doses of Meningococcal conjugate (MCV) as follows:

  • Student received the first dose of MCV at 11-15 years of age.; a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade.

***If the student received the first dose of MCV at 16 years of age or older, only dose dose is required. 

 Any child who does not have complete immunizations must receive the first dose(s) within the first five days of school (if medically appropriate) or provide a medical plan for obtaining the required immunizations, signed by your health care provider, within the first five days of school or risk exclusion.

 Even if your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be excluded from school during an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease.

 For more information on school immunization requirements, please ask your school nurse, healthcare provider, call 1-877-PA-HEALTH, or visit PA Department of Health School Immunizations.  

Physical Examinations

The state of Pennsylvania requires that students receive a physical exam upon:

•  Entering Kindergarten (or 1st grade if new entry to school), 

• Entering 6th grade 

• Entering 11th grade

Dental Examinations

The state of Pennsylvania requires that students receive a dental exam upon:

• Entering Kindergarten (or 1st grade if new entry to school)

•  Entering 3rd grade.

• Entering 7th grade.