Students enrolling in the Dallas Independent School District for the first time must provide evidence of required immunizations. Official records from a physician or health clinic, which provide documentation of current immunizations, are required. All immunizations should be completed by the first date of attendance. The law requires that students be fully vaccinated against the specified diseases. See notes at end for other provisions or exceptions.

Immunization requirements are determined by the state legislature and set by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) are critical to preventing disease outbreaks and ensure the health of students. This list summarizes the immunizations required for enrollment that should be completed before the first day of attendance. See notes at end for other provisions or exceptions.

1. Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis/Tetanus-Diptheria-acellular-Pertussis containing vaccine:
   • Students who started the series before age 7 years – Five doses, with one after the fourth birthday, unless the fourth dose was received after the fourth birthday, in which case only four doses are required.
   • Students who started the series after age 7 years – Three doses of diphtheria and tetanus. One of the doses must be Tdap.
   • Students in grade 7 – one dose of Tdap if it has been five years since previous dose of tetanus-containing vaccine.
   • Students in grade 8–12 – one booster dose of Tdap or Td if it has been 10 years since last dose.
2. Poliomyelitis: (to age 18 years)
   • Four doses with one dose on or after the fourth birthday.
   • Three doses meet the requirement if the third dose is given on or after the fourth birthday.
3. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)*:
   • Two doses on or after the first birthday beginning in Pre-Kindergarten - twelfth.
   • One dose on or after the first birthday for students under age 4.
   • For students vaccinated prior to 2009, 1 dose of MMR and one dose of measles after first birthday meet the requirement.
4. Haemophilus Influenza Type B*: (Students through age 4 years)
   • Three doses with one dose on or after 12 months of age.
   • Two doses meet the requirement if the first dose is given at 12-14 months of age.
   • One dose meets the requirement if given at 15-59 months of age.
5. Hepatitis B*:
   • Three doses
   • For students 11-15 years, 2 does meet the requirement if adult hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax® 10 mcg/1.0mL) must be clearly documented.
6. Varicella (Chicken Pox) *:
   • Two doses on or after the first birthday for all students entering Pre- Kindergarten through twelfth grades.
   • History of varicella illness documented by a written statement from the parent/legal guardian, physician or school nurse is acceptable in place of any and all varicella vaccine doses required.
7. Pneumococcal: (24 months to 59 months of age)
   • Three doses with one dose on or after 12 months of age.
   • Two doses meet the requirement if both doses are given after 12 months of age.
   • One dose meets the requirement if given on or after 24 months of age.
8. Hepatitis A*:
   • Two doses are required for students entering Pre-Kindergarten - twelfth grade with the first dose received on or after the first birthday.
9. Meningococcal: (7th – 12th grade)
   • One dose of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate is required on or after the student’s 11th birthday. If received vaccine at 10 years of age, this satisfies the requirement
   • Booster recommended between ages 16-18 years of age.

* Serologic confirmation of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, or varicella is acceptable in place of vaccine.

Recommended vaccines: (consult your health care provider)

• HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE: First dose at 11-12 years of age. Two or three dose series depending on age when first does is given. Vaccine may be given through age 26.
• INFLUENZA VACCINE: Annual vaccination for all children 6 months and older without contraindications or precautions.
• SEROTYPE B MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE: Two dose series between ages 16-23.

NOTE 1: A 30-day provisional enrollment is available only to the following student groups:

• Students transferring from one Texas school to another Texas school.
• Students who are defined as homeless according to the federal McKinney-Vento Act 42 U. S. C. Section 111434a.
• Foster children enrolling in a new school.
• Active-duty military dependents enrolling in a new school.

NOTE 2: A student may be enrolled provisionally if the student has an immunization record that indicates the student has received at least one dose of each specified age-appropriate vaccine required by this rule. To remain enrolled, the student must complete the required subsequent doses in each vaccine series on schedule and as rapidly as is medically feasible and provide acceptable evidence of vaccination to the school. A school nurse or school administrator shall review the immunization status of a provisionally enrolled student every 30 days to ensure continued compliance in completing the required doses of vaccination. If, at the end of the 30-day period, a student has not received a subsequent dose of vaccine, the student is not in compliance and the school shall exclude the student from school attendance until required dose is administered.

NOTE 3: Exemptions from immunization requirements may be granted on a medical basis or for reasons of conscience. A medical exemption, signed by a physician, is required annually if not otherwise stated by the physician. Exemption for reasons of conscience must be submitted on an affidavit provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Exemption for reason of conscience is granted for two years. Exemptions are not recognized in time of epidemics. Students will need to be immunized or not attend school if an epidemic is declared by the Commissioner of Health.

Exemptions:

The law allows (a) physicians to write a statement stating that the vaccine(s) required would be medically harmful or injurious to the health and well-being of the child or household member, and (b) parents/guardians to choose an exemption from immunization requirements for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. The law does not allow parents/guardians to elect an exemption simply because of inconvenience (for example, a record is lost or incomplete and it is too much trouble to go to a physician or clinic to correct the problem). Schools and child-care facilities should maintain an up-to-date list of students with exemptions, so they may be excluded in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of public health.

Instructions for requesting the official exemption affidavit that must be signed by parents/guardians choosing the exemption for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, can be found at www.ImmunizeTexas.com. Original Exemption Affidavit must be completed and submitted to the school or child-care facility.

For children claiming medical exemptions, a written statement by the physician must be submitted to the school or child-care facility.

Provisional Enrollment:

All immunizations should be completed by the first date of attendance. The law requires that students be fully vaccinated against the specified diseases. A student may be enrolled provisionally if the student has an immunization record that indicates the student has received at least one dose of each specified age-appropriate vaccine required by this rule. To remain enrolled, the student must complete the required subsequent doses in each vaccine series on schedule and as rapidly as is medically feasible and provide acceptable evidence of vaccination to the school. A school nurse or school administrator shall review the immunization status of a provisionally enrolled student every 30 days to ensure continued compliance in completing the required doses of vaccination. If, at the end of the 30-day period, a student has not received a subsequent dose of vaccine, the student is not in compliance and the school shall exclude the student from school attendance until the required dose is administered.

Documentation:

Since many types of personal immunization records are in use, any document will be acceptable provided a physician or public health personnel has validated it. The month, day, and year that the vaccination was received must be recorded on all school immunization records created or updated after September 1, 1991.

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Resources

• State of Texas Requrements and Information (www.dshs.state.tx.us) --Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K-12 (English & Spanish)
• Dallas County Walk-In Immunization Clinic Schedules & Locations
• CareVan in Your Neighborhood-Schedules for events throughout Texas
• Dallas ISD Youth and Family Centers

Additional Resources

• Immunization information for students enrolling in college