Health Services
School Immunizations
Immunization requirements for child care, Head Start, and preschool programs
Click on a link below to scroll to that section or click here for a PDF version these requirements.
Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
(DTP/DTaP/DT) |
| |
Required spacing |
| Dose # |
Minimum |
|
Maximum |
| 1 |
Not valid before
6 weeks of age |
|
By 3 months
of age |
| 2 |
1 month
after #1 |
|
3 months
after #1 |
| 3 |
1 month
after #2 |
|
3 months
after #2 |
| 4 |
4 months
after #3 |
|
1 year
after #3 |
| |
An additional dose is required if minimum spacing requirements are not met.
A child under 7 years of age who has not received 6 or more doses does not require more, regardless of spacing.
|
|
Polio
(OPV, IPV) |
| |
Required spacing |
| Dose # |
Minimum |
|
Maximum |
| 1 |
Not valid before
6 weeks of age |
|
By 3 months
of age |
| 2 |
1 month
after #1 |
|
3 months
after #1 |
| 3 |
1 month
after #2 |
|
1 year
after #2 |
| |
An additional dose is required if minimum spacing requirements are not met.
|
|
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
(MMR) |
| |
Required spacing |
| Dose # |
Minimum |
|
Maximum |
| 1 |
Not valid before
1st birthday |
|
By 16 months
of age |
| |
An additional dose is required if minimum spacing requirements are not met.
|
|
Hepatitis A |
| |
Required spacing |
| Dose # |
Minimum |
|
Maximum |
| 1 |
Not valid before
1st birthday |
|
By 25 months
of age |
| 2 |
6 months
after #1 |
|
19 months
after #1 |
| |
An additional dose is required if minimum spacing requirements are not met. |
|
Hepatitis B |
| |
Required spacing |
| Dose # |
Minimum |
|
Maximum |
| 1 |
At birth |
|
By 2 months
of age |
| 2 |
1 month
after #1 |
|
3 months
after #1 |
| 3 |
2 months after #2 and
at least 4 months after #1 |
|
18 months
after #2 |
| |
An additional dose is required if minimum spacing requirements are not met.
|
|
Varicella
"Chickenpox" |
| |
Required spacing |
| Dose # |
Minimum |
|
Maximum |
| 1 |
Not valid before
1st birthday |
|
By 19 months
of age |
| |
An additional dose is required if minimum spacing requirements are not met. |
|
Special Information about Hib Compliance |
Before the induction of effective vaccines, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among children less than 5 years of age. Hib vaccine has almost completely eliminated the incidence of Hib disease in this country. Appropriate use of this important vaccine requires consideration of several factions, include:
- AGE - Both the child's current age and the age at which he/she received prior doses affect the recommendations for future doses of Hib vaccine.
- BRAND OF VACCINE USED - At least three brands of Hib vaccine currently are licensed in the United States. For children beginning Hib immunization in infancy, two brands require 4 total doses, while one requires only 3. For purposes of compliance, the 3-dose schedule shown below will be used, regardless of type of vaccine received.
|
| |
Hib
Note: HIB is required only for children under 5 years of age |
| |
|
Required spacing |
| Dose # |
CURRENT Age |
Minimum |
|
Maximum |
| 1 |
6 wks - 59 mos |
Not valid before
6 weeks of age |
|
By 3 months
of age |
| 2 |
6 wks - 11 mos |
1 month
after #1 |
|
3 months after #1 |
| 12-14 mos |
1 month after #1* |
3 months after #1* |
| 15-59 mos |
2 months after #1 |
3 months after #1 and
by 16 mos of age |
| 3 |
6 wks - 11 mos |
Not counted for compliance
if received before 12 mos of age |
|
Not applicable |
| 12-59 mos |
2 months after #2
(Not counted for compliance
if received before 12 mos of age) |
3 months after #2 and
by 16 months of age |
| |
An additional dose is required if:
- Minimum spacing requirements are not met.
An additional dose is NOT required if:
- Child received at least one dose between 15-59 months of age.
- Child received at least 2 valid doses before 12 months of age and an appropriately spaced 3rd dose between 12-14 months of age.
- Child is 5 years of age or older.
*If a child received dose #1 after 12 months of age, a minimum of 2 months are required between dose #1 and #2. To remain in compliance, the child must receive dose #2 a maximum of 3 months after dose #1 and by 16 months of age. If this child receives dose #2 at least 2 months after dose #1, no additional doses are needed. |
|
For compliance purposes:
| |
Age = age in calendar weeks or months (e.g. "by 6 wks of age" or "by 2 mos of age") |
| |
Interval between doses calculated as 28 days = 1 month |
| |
Maximum (under Required Spacing) - refers to the maximum time period before a child who has not received the required number of doses would be considered out of compliance. Doses received after the "maximum" intervals are medically acceptable and bring the child back to into agreement with compliance standards. |
Important Notes about School-Age Children in a Child Care Setting
| |
Children in a licensed child care facility, preschool or Head Start program who also attend school (grades K-12) must meet:
- school immunization requirements
AND
- the child care facility/preschool/Head Start requirement for varicella. (Although varicella immunization or a history of varicella disease is not required for children in grades K-12 in a school setting, it is required for children of any age attending a licensed child care facility.)
|
| |
Kindergarten - For purposes of these guidelines, a "child in kindergarten" is one who was born by August 15th at least five years prior to kindergarten entry. For example, a child entering kindergarten in 2005 must have been born before August 15, 2000. Definition follows kindergarten age criteria established by the AK Department of Education and Early Development. |
|
 |
|
