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Immunization and Health Checkup
California law requires each child to have up-to-date immunizations. Children are
exempt from immunization requirements when (1) their parents sign a statement at the
school indicating that such immunization is contrary to their beliefs; or (2) the parents
submit a statement from a physician indicating that immunization is not considered safe
for the child. An exemption may be temporary or permanent and may be for specific or
all vaccines.
The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires that schools enroll
students who are homeless without requiring proof of immunization. California law
requires that schools immediately enroll foster children even if a foster child is unable to
produce immunization records normally required for school entry. Once a homeless
student or a foster child is enrolled, schools should work with their local health
department to ensure these students receive any vaccinations they may need.
State law also requires each child’s family to provide, within 90 days of entrance into the
first grade, a certificate documenting that the child has received a health checkup within
the previous 18 months. Parents may waive the health checkup requirement because
they do not want or are unable to obtain a health screening for their child. If the waiver
indicates that the parents were unable to obtain such services, the reasons must be
included in the waiver. Law requires school districts to exclude any first grader up to five
days if the child has neither a health examination certificate nor a parental waiver 90
days after entering the first grade.
Some children may be eligible for a state-paid examination. Referrals to doctors and
clinics are provided on request by the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP)
Program coordinator of the local health department. Children through age 18 may
receive a free checkup funded by CHDP if their families meet specific income
guidelines. Most county health departments have a CHDP coordinator who can advise
parents regarding eligibility.
All children under eighteen years of age entering a California public or private
elementary or secondary school for the first time, or transferring between schools, must
present a written immunization record, including at least the month and year of receipt
of each dose of required vaccines (or an exemption to the immunization requirements).
Otherwise, the child will not be allowed to attend school.
To meet California’s school entry requirements, children entering kindergarten will need
a total of five DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) immunizations; four polio
immunizations; two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) immunizations; three hepatitis
B immunizations; and one varicella (chicken pox) immunization. Students entering
seventh grade must show proof of three hepatitis B shots and a second measles (or
MMR) shot. Students can be admitted if they have had at least the first in the three-shot
hepatitis B series on condition that the remaining shots are completed when due. All
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