Immunization Requirements for Entry into Florida Schools
-
Students from Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade who are coming into a Florida school for the first time must present an immunization record (DH 680) and a current Florida School Entry Physical Examination, Form (DH 3040). The immunization record must show that the student has met the minimum state requirements for that grade. Immunizations are provided at no charge by the Department of Health, Hillsborough County.
Immunization Requirements for 2023-2024 School Year Entry
-
The School Health Services Program oversees or provides mandated services in accordance with Florida Statute sections 381.0056, 381.0057, and 402.3026. School health services' purpose is to minimize health barriers to learning for public school students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. To help ensure the provision of safe and appropriate county-level school health services, the Department of Health, Hillsborough, School Health Program office work in conjunction with Hillsborough County Public Schools, School Health Services Department to implement health services and state mandates provided in our public schools.
-
Immunization Requirements for Pre-Kindergarten
For students entering Pre-Kindergarten*, the immunization record must show that the student has met the minimum state requirements for vaccines:
- 3-5 doses DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis)
- 3-5 doses Polio (Kindergarten)
- 1-2 doses MMR (measles-mumps-rubella)
- 3 doses Hepatitis B
- 1-2 doses Varicella (chickenpox)**
* Note: Immunizations listed below are not required, but recommended:
- Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13)
- Hepatitis A (Hep A)
** Varicella vaccine is not required if Varicella disease is documented (the year the child had the disease must be included) by a Licensed Physician, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant.
-
Immunization Requirements for Kindergarten Through Sixth Grade
Students entering kindergarten must submit an updated immunization record and a school entry physical examination
- 5 doses DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis)
- 4-5 doses Polio (Kindergarten)*
- 2 doses MMR (measles-mumps-rubella)
- 3 doses Hepatitis B
- 2 doses Varicella (chickenpox)**
*Note KG: If the fourth dose of polio vaccine is administered prior to the fourth birthday, a fifth dose of polio vaccine is required for kindergarten entry only.
**Varicella vaccine is not required if Varicella disease is documented (the year the child had the disease must be included) by a Licensed Physician, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant.
-
Immunization Requirements for students entering seventh through twelfth grade
Students entering seventh grade must submit an updated immunization record with a Tdap. All students from seventh through twelfth grade immunization record must that the student has met the minimal state requirements:
- 5 doses DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis)
- 4 doses Polio (IPV or OPV)
- 2 doses MMR< (measles-mumps-rubella)
- 3 doses Hepatitis B
- 1 dose Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)*
- 2 doses Varicella (chickenpox) or has had the disease as documented by a healthcare provider**
*Note: 1 dose Tdap (tetanus- diphtheria- pertussis) for seventh grade is required. An updated DH 680 form to include Tdap must be obtained for submission to the school.
**Varicella vaccine is not required if Varicella disease is documented (the year the child had the disease must be included) by a Licensed Physician, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant.
-
Additional Immunization Recommendations:
Meningococcal Disease
A dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) is recommended for children and adolescents 11-18 years of age. This vaccine is 85-90% effective in preventing meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria. The disease is spread by airborne respiratory droplets (cough or sneezes). Symptoms of meningococcal disease are often mistaken for less serious illnesses such as the flu. Common symptoms may include fever greater than 101.4, red to purple colored rash, nausea, vomiting, generalized muscle aches, severe headaches, confusion, sensitivity to light, and/or stiff neck. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2-18 years old in the United States. The vaccine is available at the department of health, Hillsborough County, if it is not provided by your child's healthcare provider's office. For those who have never gotten MCV4, a dose is recommended at high school entry but not required in the State of Florida. Most colleges and universities require this vaccine. Please check the college or university policy you plan to attend. In addition, this is highly recommended if you are living in a dormitory type of residence. MCV4 is contraindicated to anyone that experiences a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose or to any components of vaccines.Human Papilloma Virus Disease
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) causes the majority of genital warts and cancers. HPV vaccine has been shown to protect against 80% of the most common types of cervical cancer and oral cancers and decrease genital warts. While it is recommended for ages 11-12 years of age, this vaccine has been approved for both males and females beginning at nine years of age. The most frequently reported symptoms of the HPV vaccine are chronic pain with paresthesia, headaches, fatigue and orthostatic intolerance.
-
If you have private health insurance or Medicaid, contact your health care provider. If you do not have private health insurance or Medicaid, contact the Florida Department of Health, Hillsborough County Immunization Clinic for further information.
State Mandated Screenings
School Health Services is responsible for state-mandated screenings, Florida Statute 381.0056(6)(e). Vision and hearing screenings are necessary to identify impairments that interfere with learning. In addition, growth and development, body mass index (BMI) and scoliosis screenings are necessary to prevent complications associated with obesity and diabetes and heart and lung damage, respectively. The mandatory grade levels are listed below:- Vision screening – provided to students in grades KG, 1, 3, and 6. Vision screening will also be performed on all students entering Florida schools for the first time in grades KG through 5.
- Hearing screening – provided to students in grades KG, 1, and 6.
- Hearing screening will also be performed on all students entering Florida schools for the first time in grades KG through 5.
- Growth and development screening with BMI – provided to students in grades 1, 3, and 6.
- Scoliosis screening – provided to students in grade 6.
All students who do not pass their screening will be referred for further examination and corrective measures. If you are in need of a health care provider for your child, please contact your school nurse. If you do not want your child to participate in any of the mandated screenings, you must notify your child's school nurse in writing before the assigned screening date every school year a screening is required. Please ask your child's school for the date or dates of the scheduled screenings. In addition, please provide your child's results from that particular screening to be included in your child's health record.