Immunizations are the single most important way to protect against serious and sometimes deadly diseases.  Many of the diseases vaccines prevent cannot be easily treated or cured.  These diseases can be particularly dangerous for infants, young children, and the elderly.  Even one infected person can cause an outbreak of diseases like measles and chickenpox.

Vermont's School Entry Immunization Rule sets minimum immunization requirements for attendance at public or independent kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools, and colleges to protect students, staff, and the community against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Students entering pre-Kindergarten must provide documentation of the following vaccines:

• 4 doses of Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine

• 4 doses of PCV (pneumococcal) vaccine

• 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine

• 4 doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine

• 3 doses of polio vaccine

• 1 dose of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine

• 1 dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

  • If the student has previously had chickenpox disease, no vaccine or exemption is needed.  Parents must submit documentation of disease or sign the Health Department Documentation of Varicella Form.

Students entering Kindergarten must provide documentation of the following: 

• 5 doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine

• 4 doses of polio vaccine

• 2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine

• 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine

• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

  • If the student has previously had chickenpox disease, no vaccine or exemption is needed.  Parents must submit documentation of disease or sign the Health Department form.

 Students entering the 7th grade must provide documentation of the following:

• All the immunizations listed under the "entering Kindergarten" header

• One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine

These requirements also apply to students in any grade entering a new school from outside of their previous supervisory union or district.

Students not meeting the vaccine requirements must be vaccinated as outlined in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s catch up schedule. 

Medical or Religious Exemption to one or more vaccines is allowed.  Exemption Forms must be completed, signed and returned to the school upon enrollment.  Religious Exemption Forms must be completed annually.  Students with an exemption may be excluded from school during a disease outbreak.

Resources:

• Immunization Schedule for Children and Teens (English)

• Annual Immunization Rates (schools are listed in alphabetical order)

• General information for Parents from Department of Health