Back-to-School Immunizations: New Jersey Requirements by Grade

Getting your child ready for a new school year means more than buying supplies — it also means making sure their immunizations are up to date. In New Jersey, children must meet specific vaccine requirements to attend school. These requirements are set by the New Jersey Department of Health and apply to all public and private schools, as well as licensed child care and preschool programs.

This guide breaks down what vaccines are needed at each stage, from preschool through high school graduation.

Why Are School Immunizations Required?

Vaccines protect your child and the entire school community from serious, preventable diseases like measles, whooping cough, and meningitis. New Jersey law requires proof of immunization for school attendance. Children who are not up to date may be excluded from school until they receive the required vaccines or provide an approved exemption.

Preschool and Child Care (Ages 6 months through Pre-K)

Children attending licensed child care centers or preschool programs in New Jersey need the following vaccines, with doses appropriate for their age:

• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis): 4 doses (ages 2, 4, 6, and 15–18 months)
• IPV (polio): 3 doses (ages 2, 4, and 6–18 months)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): 1 dose (at 12–15 months)
• Varicella (chickenpox): 1 dose (at 12–15 months)
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses (birth, 1–2 months, 6–18 months)
• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b): Age-appropriate series (typically 3–4 doses)
• PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine): Age-appropriate series (typically 4 doses)
• Influenza (flu): Required annually (between September 1 and December 31) for children ages 6 months through 59 months attending licensed child care or preschool. New Jersey is one of the few states that requires the flu vaccine for this age group.
• Hepatitis A: 2 doses (starting at 12 months)

Kindergarten through Grade 5 (Ages 4–6 at Entry)

Before entering kindergarten, children must have completed or be up to date on the following:

• DTaP: 5 doses (or 4 doses if the 4th dose was given on or after the 4th birthday)
• IPV (polio): 4 doses (or 3 doses if the 3rd dose was given on or after the 4th birthday)
• MMR: 2 doses (the first given on or after the 1st birthday)
• Varicella: 2 doses (the first given on or after the 1st birthday); a documented history of chickenpox disease, verified by a healthcare provider, is also accepted
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses (complete series)

These are the most common "catch-up" vaccines needed before kindergarten. If your child attended preschool in New Jersey, they may already have most of these. Your pediatrician can review records and identify any gaps.

Grade 6 (Ages 11–12): A Key Checkpoint

Entering 6th grade is one of the most important immunization milestones. New Jersey requires the following additional vaccines:

• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis booster): 1 dose, required on or after the 10th birthday. This replaces the childhood DTaP series with an adolescent booster.
• Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY): 1 dose, required on or after the 10th birthday. This vaccine protects against four types of bacterial meningitis.
• Varicella: Must have documentation of 2 doses (if not already completed for kindergarten entry) or provider-verified history of disease.

Grade 12 (Ages 16–18): The Final Requirement

Before entering 12th grade, students need:

• Meningococcal ACWY booster: 1 dose, given on or after the 16th birthday. If the first dose of MenACWY was given at age 16 or older, a booster is not required. This booster provides continued protection during the late teen years, when the risk of meningococcal disease increases — particularly for students planning to live in college dormitories.

Recommended but Not Required by New Jersey

The following vaccines are strongly recommended by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics but are not currently mandated by New Jersey for school attendance:

• HPV (human papillomavirus): 2-dose series starting at age 11–12 (or 3 doses if started at age 15 or older). Protects against cancers caused by HPV, including cervical, throat, and other cancers.
• Meningococcal B (MenB): 2- or 3-dose series for teens and young adults ages 16–23, based on shared clinical decision-making with a healthcare provider. Particularly important for college-bound students.
• COVID-19: Recommended per current CDC guidance.
• Annual influenza: Recommended for all children 6 months and older, though only required by New Jersey for children in licensed child care/preschool.

Exemptions

New Jersey allows two types of exemptions from school vaccine requirements:

• Medical exemption: A written statement from a licensed physician explaining that a specific vaccine is medically contraindicated for the child.
• Religious exemption: A written statement explaining that immunization conflicts with the family's religious beliefs. New Jersey does not currently offer a personal belief or philosophical exemption.

Children with exemptions may be excluded from school during outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Tips for Parents

• Start early. Don't wait until the week before school starts. Schedule vaccine appointments in the spring or early summer to avoid the back-to-school rush.
• Bring your records. Bring your child's immunization record (the yellow card or printout from your pediatrician) to every visit so it can be updated.
• Ask about catch-up schedules. If your child has missed doses, your pediatrician can create a catch-up plan. Multiple vaccines can often be given at the same visit.
• Keep copies. Schools will ask for a Universal Child Health Record form signed by your child's healthcare provider. Keep a copy for your own files.
• Check with your school. Contact your school's health office if you have questions about what is needed for your child's specific grade.

Where to Get Vaccines

• Your child's pediatrician or family doctor
• Local health department clinics
• Retail pharmacies (for age-eligible children)
• Federally qualified health centers

Many vaccines are covered by insurance, Medicaid, and the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for uninsured or underinsured children.