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Health Requirements for School Enrollment

The following are the Virginia Department of Health Requirements for School Enrollment    

Physical Examination Form (en Español) - Virginia Law requires that before a child is admitted to any public kindergarten or elementary school, the school must be provided documentation that the child received a comprehensive physical examination.  The exam must be of the scope prescribed by the State Health Commissioner and have been performed within the twelve (12) months prior to the date that the student first enters kindergarten or elementary school.  Fillable versions of the forms are available: (English) (Español)

Minimum Immunization Requirements for School (en Español)

Documentary proof shall be provided that the child has been adequately and age-appropriately immunized before he/she may enter the school programs.  Accommodations for meeting the immunization requirements may be made for students who are homeless or in foster care.

Incoming Kindergarteners – A complete series of two (2) doses of Hepatitis A (HAV) vaccine has been added to the previous kindergarten vaccination requirements.  While this vaccine is recommended for all children, for School Year 2023-24 only, 3rd  grade students and above will be “grandfathered” and will not be required to have HAV for school enrollment.

Rising 7th graders - Effective July 1, 2019, a booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis containing (Tdap) vaccine is required for all children entering the 7th grade. Effective July 1, 2021, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and a dose of Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine are also required for all children entering the 7th grade. Schools will require proof of immunization or a documented exemption before a student may begin 7th grade classes. 

Students are not eligible for conditional enrollment if they have not had the Tdap vaccine or a dose of a MenACWY vaccine. 

The 2020 General Assembly amended a law requiring the HPV vaccine for rising 6th grade females.  The amendment that goes into effect July 1, 2021, now requires the HPV vaccine for all rising 7th grade students, male and female.  After reviewing educational information from the Board of Health, parents/guardians have the right to decide if their child receives the HPV vaccine.  Please review the information in a letter from the Virginia Department of Health (en Español) that addresses the HPV virus. The letter includes notification that the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccinations are also required. 

Rising 12th graders – Effective July 1, 2021, two (2) doses of Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine are required for all children entering the 12th grade. For School Year 2023-24, 10th graders and above will not need to go back to their healthcare providers and get the 7th grade MenACWY dose; they will pick up with the 12th grade dose. For School Year 2023-24 only, 12th graders will be required to have one (1) dose of MenACWY prior to school entry.

If a student has not received one dose of the MenACWY vaccine, the student is not eligible for conditional enrollment. 

Parents, please make sure that your child is protected against vaccine preventable illnesses in accordance with state health requirements and that updated immunization records are on file with your child’s school before the new school year starts.

Immunizations are available from doctor’s offices, military clinics or The Prince William Health District clinics. The Prince William Health District can be contacted at the following locations and telephone numbers:

  • 9301 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110 or  703-792-6300; and

  • 4001 Prince William Parkway, Ste. 101, Woodbridge, VA 22191 or 703-792-7300.

The Virginia Department of Health’s forms and detailed information about the School Health Requirements are available online or from your child's school. Please see your child’s school nurse if there are questions about these requirements.