Immunizations
The Immunization Survey will open on 2/16/2021 and the New Survey Due Date is now April 2, 2021.
Previous Memos
- This notification was provided by the NYSDOH on 1/10/21 located on the NY Forward website. Updated Guidance for School Administrators Regarding Limited Temporary Enforcement of Student Immunization Requirement. The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) is the entity charged with enforcement of the requirement that schools comply with Public Health Law § 2164. The grace period for compliance with PHL 2164 is extended for another 30 days through February 9, 2021, only for students attending school exclusively remotely, if such student intends to obtain the required vaccinations in the coming 30 days. (1/11/21)
- On October 12, 2020, NYSDOH sent Guidance for School Administrators Regarding Limited Temporary Enforcement of Student Immunization Requirements. This letter allows a grace period of 30 days from 10/12/20 for students attending school exclusively through remote learning. During this grace period, students engaged in remote learning must obtain all required vaccinations, if they have not already, to be eligible to continue attending school following the expiration of this guidance.
- Notification from the NYSDOH to School Administrators of NYS Public and NonPublic Schools on 8/28/20 at 12:57 pm stating that the NYSDOH expects any students who missed doses of vaccines due to COVID-19 to receive any overdue doses within 14 days after school resumes (regardless if school resumes in person on remotely); this may be extended to 30 days for students transferring from out-of-state or another country. Please direct any questions about the school entrance requirements or school survey to the School Compliance Team at:osas@health.ny.gov.
Sample Exclusion Notification Letter - Provides a sample that principals can customize to send letters to parents/guardians whose children have not received the required immunizations for school attendance (NYSCSH, 9/19/20). Clicking here will redirect you to the Forms|Samples>Immunizations page for this resource.
NYSDOH 2020-2021 Immunization Chart and Resources
- Immunization Requirements Chart for School Entrance/Attendance for the 2020-21 school year (NYSDOH 6/26/20)
- Immunization Requirements 2020-21 Webinar (NYSDOH 4/12/20)
- Immunization School Survey Booklet 2020-21 Q & A (9/11/20 (These are located under Immunization Survey Instruction Book-Instructions by Grade Level 7/3/20)
- Meningococcal School Requirement Flyer for 2020-21 for Grades 7-12 (NYSDOH 7/14/20)
- Meningococcal Vaccine Q & A for Healthcare Providers for the 2020-21 School Year
- Civil Penalty and fine for non-compliance (NYSDOH website 9/25/2020)
This information is detailed in the NYSDOH 202021 Immunization FAQs:
- In the 2020-2021 school year, only doses of DTaP inadvertently received at 10 years of age or older will satisfy the Tdap requirement for students in grade 6; however, doses of DTaP received at age 7 years or older will satisfy the requirement for students in grades 7 through 12. The minimum age for the Tdap adolescent booster dose will roll out over additional grades in the coming years. However, DTaP should not be intentionally given to a child on or after 7 years of age.
- In the 2020-2021 school year, the minimum age for the first dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine for grade 7 is age 10 and for grades 8 through 11, the minimum age is 6 weeks. The recommended age for most healthy teens is 11 through 12 years of age. The Immunization School Survey Booklet 2020-21 Questions and Answers Page 12 minimum age for MenACWY vaccine will roll out over additional grades in the coming years.
- “In process” is defined as a child that has received at least the first dose of each required vaccine series and has age-appropriate appointments to complete the series according to the ACIP catch-up schedule. If a child is obtaining serologic tests, he or she has a total of 14 days, without school exclusion, to provide test results and if the results are equivocal or negative, the child has appointments to be immunized within 30 days of receiving the test results. The ACIP catch-up schedule is used to determine appropriate intervals between doses of vaccines. A school shall not refuse to admit a child based on immunization requirements if that child is “in process.” Schools may grant a 14-day grace period (30 days for students from out of state) to students who have not yet furnished proof of immunity (as specified in section 66-1.4).
Additional Resources to Implement Immunization Requirements
- Catch Up schedule for persons aged 4 months–18 years who start late or who are more than 1 month behind Schedule (National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases 2/2020)
- Chronological Age/Grade Chart (NYSCSH, 7/2/20)
- DTaP Catch Up Schedule 4 months- 6 years (CDC)
- Tdap Catch Up Schedule 7 years-18 years (CDC)
- Time and Date Calculator for Determining Age and Interval Validity
NYSDOH Public Health Law 2164 and Rules and Regulations Subpart 66-1.1-61.10
- Immunization Laws-Public Health Law Section 2164 (Links directly to Law)
- Rules and Regulations Subpart 66-1.1-61.10- Regarding immunizations for school attendance. (Links directly to Rules and Regulations 8/16/19).
- Per VOLUME A-1a (Title 10) SubChapter G - AIDS Testing, Communicable Diseases and Poisoning Part 66 - Immunizations and Communicable Diseases SubPart 66-1 - School Immunization Requirements
(m) Attend or admit means enrolled in, or admitted to, a school for the purpose of participating in or receiving services at such school, including but not limited to special education or related services, participating in intra-scholastic or interscholastic sports, or other school-sponsored events or activities; or being transported on a school bus or vehicle with other school children; except where such services, transportation, events, or activities are open to the general public.
- Per VOLUME A-1a (Title 10) SubChapter G - AIDS Testing, Communicable Diseases and Poisoning Part 66 - Immunizations and Communicable Diseases SubPart 66-1 - School Immunization Requirements
- Note: If the health department staff indicate that they cannot provide the required immunizations for students, please instruct parents to ask for the Immunization Coordinator. If the Immunization Coordinator is unable to assist them or is not reachable, parents/guardians should contact the NYS Department of Health Bureau of Immunization at 518-474-1944 or email them at osas@health.state.ny.us and provide their name and contact info. The NYSDOH will follow up with the local health department.
NYSDOH Medical Exemption Resources and Forms-External Link to NYSDOH Resources
- NYSDOH Notification to Providers Regarding Medical Exemptions
- Guidance on Immunization-Related Medical Exemptions for School-Aged Children
- Immunization Requirements for School Attendance/Medical Exemption Statement for Children 0-18 years of Age
- Medical Exemption Review Procedures for Schools Outside New York City and for Non-public Schools in New York City (NYSDOH, 10/2019)
- Contraindications to Immunization: Best Practices Guidance of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) (3/30/20)
- Immunization Action Coalition Guide to Contraindications and Precautions for Commonly Used Vaccines (3/2020)
- Additional resources are available on out Sample|Form page under Immunizations.
Refugee/Homeless Children, Children Affected by Natural Disasters
Registries for NYS and NYC Immunization
Resources to Get Help
- NYSDOH Bureau of Immunization - Regional Field Offices Contact Information (6/2015)
- NYSDOH Immunization School Assessment and Compliance Unit: 518-474-1944 Email: osas@health.ny.gov
- NYSDOH Bureau of Immunization email: immunize@health.state.ny.us
- NYC primary/secondary schools, Head Start programs, nursery schools, and daycares should direct questions to the NYC Department of and Mental Hygiene at 347-396-2433.
Page Updated 2/17/21