Immunizations

NYSED Guidelines|Memos- Currently Under Revision
Immunization Requirements fall under NYSDOH Public Health Laws. Please contact the NYSDOH with any questions regarding Immunization requirements or the chart for the 2020-2021 school year. NYSDOH Immunization School Assessment and Compliance Unit: 518-474-1944 Email: osas@health.ny.gov
 The NYSDOH has posted the Immunization Survey Worksheets for 2020-21 on their website.
The Immunization Survey will open on 2/16/2021 and the New Survey Due Date is now April 2, 2021. 
New
 The NYSDOH has sent an email notification to School Administrators titled Updated Guidance for School Administrators Regarding Limited Temporary Enforcement of Student Immunization Requirement dated 2/9/2021, providing updated information regarding immunization requirements. The notification states the immunization grace period is extended for another 30 days through March 11, 2021, only for students attending school exclusively remotely, if such student intends to obtain the required vaccinations in the coming 30 days. (2/10/21)

Sample Exclusion Notification Letter with December 11, 2020 Deadline- 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, 11/17/20).

Previous Memos

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.

View NYSDOH Information on Immunizations 
 
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NYSDOH 2020-2021 Immunization Chart and Resources 

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

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.
  • 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

The NYSDOH Child Care Programs, Schools and Post-Secondary Institutions page contains multiple resources to assist schools. They include the items below and templates for maintaining a List of Susceptible Students.(Updated 6/28/2020)

Refugee/Homeless Children, Children Affected by Natural Disasters

This link shares info related to McKinney-Vento, Homeless Education Assistance Act, the Refugee Act, and Children Affected by Natural Disaster information that is applicable to school health. 

Registries for NYS and NYC Immunization

NYSIIS (NYS) and NYCIR NYC) New York State Department of Health Registries online database with immunization records for persons of all ages in NYS outside of NYC. CIR is the online database for New York City. 

Resources to Get Help

Additional resources on this website

Page Updated 2/17/21