Health Requirements for School

Health Requirements for School

  • All students must have documentation on file showing they are up to date on immunizations, or they may not be able to attend school.
  • Students new to SFUSD must have current tuberculosis (TB) clearance and immunization records on file showing they are up to date on immunizations.
  • Medical exemptions are the only acceptable reason to not be up to date on immunizations

How to submit your records:

What is happening this SY 22-23 for Immunization Compliance?

As of August 2022, families have been submitting immunization records either through ParentVUE or directly to their school site.  

Through October 2022, SFUSD is engaging in a district wide review of records submitted or records on CAIR (California Immunization Registry).  

In November 2022, SFUSD will be sending out notifications for students that are non-compliant.  Families can contact the Immunization Compliance Call Center (phone number/email coming).  Students who are non-compliant may be subject to exclusion.  

What are the health requirements for new students to enter school?

All students new to SFUSD must have the following to enter school:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) clearance within one year before entering SFUSD
  • Required immunizations (shots or vaccinations). Students must have at least one dose of every required vaccine and no deadline for any missing dose has passed.
  • Physical examination for any TK, kindergartener or new first grader. This documentation should be submitted any time during the kinder year or before first grade. The date of the physical examination should be no earlier than 6 months before the start of the kinder year. A virtual visit with a physician counts as long as the physician is able to complete the health form based on the virtual visit. School Health and Oral Health Forms

Immunizations requirements by grade

Child Care / PreK

Immunization requirements differ depending on the age of the child when enrolling for child care.

  • 2-3 months: 1 DTaP, 1 Polio, 1 Hep B, 1 Hib
  • 4-5 months: 2 DTaP, 2 Polio, 2 Hep B, 2 Hib
  • 6-14 months: 3 DTaP, 2 Polio, 2 Hep B, 2 Hib
  • 15-17 months: 3 DTaP, 3 Polio, 2 Hep B, 1 MMR (on or after 1st birthday), 1 Hib (on or after 1st birthday)
  • 18 months-4 years: 4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 3 Hep B, 1 MMR (on or after 1st birthday), 1 Hib (on or after 1st birthday- only required for children less than 4 years, 6 months ), 1 Varicella (chickenpox)

TK-12 students

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, Tdap, or Td) — 5 doses (4 doses OK if one was given on or after 4th birthday. 3 doses OK if one was given on or after 7th birthday)
  • Polio (OPV or IPV) — 4 doses (3 doses OK if one was given on or after 4th birthday)
  • Hepatitis B — 3 doses (not required for 7th grade entry)
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) — 2 doses (first dose given on or after 1st birthday) 
  • Varicella (chickenpox) — 2 doses

Students entering 7-12 grade

  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) —1 dose 
  • Varicella (chickenpox) — 2 doses
  • Please note that the TK-12 immunization requirements apply to 7th graders who previously had a valid personal beliefs exemption (PBE) filed in California before 2016. Pre-existing PBEs expire upon entering 7th grade and, therefore, the student is required to meet the TK-12 requirements.

What does that mean for newcomer students?

  • Often, newcomer students are on a catch-up schedule and are not eligible for their next dose/vaccine, they will be conditionally accepted and will not be on the exclusion list 
  • However, if newcomer students are eligible for their next dose/vaccine and are out of compliance, they will not be conditionally accepted and will be on exclusion list

Who can be "conditionally accepted"?

  • Conditional admittance means a student has started a vaccination series and is not yet due for any doses. Students will be excluded if they do not complete the next dose according to the recommended schedule or do not submit their records after the scheduled appointment. 
  • Guide to Immunization Requirements (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)for School Entry

What are the health requirements for all students to attend school?

All students in all grade levels must have the following to attend school:

Once the student is notified they are out-of-compliance, what happens if the student has an appointment further out than 10 days?

  • Even with an appointment, if student is out of compliance, by law, we must exclude student.  

What are the health requirements for students who need medical services at school?

Any student who needs medical services at school must have the following:

In order for medical services to be provided, the school must have current orders for the needed procedures or medication signed by an eligible California healthcare provider. See the links below for templates that should be taken to your child’s provider to complete. The parent/guardian must also sign before submitting to the school.

What about exemptions?

For medical exemption: 

Please see the CDPH website has a FAQ sheet for guidance.  

For religious or personal belief exemptions:

As of January 1, 2016, the California Health and Safety Code Sec. 120335 (b) states that a private or public elementary or secondary school shall not admit a student unless the student has been fully immunized.  Since the change in the law, exemptions for religious or other personal beliefs are no longer an option for the required vaccines for entry into school in CaliforniaInformational letter (link coming soon) regarding SFUSD not accepting Religious Exemptions for vaccinations

Resources

Need immunizations?

  • Call your student's doctor. If your student doesn't have a doctor
  • "Gateway" Medi-Cal
    • Eligibility criteria: families with children and youth (ages 0-18yrs) who are uninsured (or underinsured) and low to moderate income
    • Can obtain Gateway (temporary full-scope, no-cost Medi-Cal benefits) at the time of service at a Gateway provider clinic 
    • Teen Clinics for Primary Care and Immunizations (for students 12 years old and older)
    • SF Health Network New Patient Intake Line (Public or low cost clinics): Call to make an appointment  (415) 682-1740

Helpful Links:

This page was last updated on March 18, 2024