WHAT ARE VACCINE REQUIREMENTS FOR CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS? SEE CDC CHANGES, STATE RULES

As students across California prepare to head back to the classroom, state health officials are reminding parents to make sure their children’s vaccinations are up-to-date before the first day of school.

“Parents and caregivers, make sure to add ’vaccines’ to the top of your back-to-school checklist,” the California Health and Human Services Agency said in an Aug. 2 Facebook post.

The reminder comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its childhood immunization schedule earlier this year.

Here’s what California families need to know before the new school year begins:

How did CDC childhood immunization recommendations change?

Earlier this year, the CDC updated its childhood immunization schedule, changing how several vaccines are recommended.

Vaccines protecting against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, respiratory syncytial virus and meningitis groups A, B, C, W and Y are no longer universally recommended for all children. Instead, they are recommended for “certain high-risk groups or populations,” the CDC said.

The CDC also moved its recommendations for influenza and rotavirus vaccines to a “shared clinical decision-making” model so parents can discuss the risks and benefits with their child’s healthcare provider before deciding whether to vaccinate.

Are California school vaccine requirements the same?

While the CDC revised some of its recommendations, California health officials said, the state’s immunization requirements for students attending public and private schools, as well as licensed childcare centers, remain unchanged.

“California school and childcare ​vaccine requirements remain the same despite recent federal changes,” the California Department of Public Health said.

California is part of the West Coast Health Alliance, a partnership among California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington that develops immunization recommendations using guidance from multiple medical organizations rather than relying solely on the CDC.

What vaccines are required for California schools?

According to the California Department of Public Health, families must provide their child’s immunization record as proof of vaccination before they can start pre-kindergarten or a licensed childcare program.

State health officials said the West Coast Health Alliance follows the American Academy of Pediatrics’ childhood immunization schedule, which continues to recommend several vaccines for all children that are no longer universally recommended under the CDC’s updated guidance.

According to the California Health and Safety Code, state law requires age groups receive total immunization against the following childhood diseases:

• Diphtheria (DTaP)
• Hepatitis B (Hep B)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Measles (MMR)
• Mumps (MMR)
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Poliomyelitis (polio)
• Rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus (DTaP)
• Varicella (chickenpox)

“All vaccines recommended by CDPH, including those required for childcare or school, continue to be covered by insurance​ in California,” the state department said.

Do kids need to be vaccinated for daycare in California?

According to the California Department of Public Health, children need to have the following vaccines before attending a licensed childcare program:

Here are required doses for various age groups:

• Infants 2 to 3 months old - One Polio, one DTaP, one Hep B and one Hib
• Infants 4 to 5 months old - Two Polio, two DTaP, two Hep B and two Hib
• Infants 6 to 14 months old - Two Polio, three DTaP, two Hep B and two Hib
• Toddlers 15 to 17 months old - Three Polio, three DTaP, two Hep B and one Varicella. One Hib and one MMR are required on or after the child’s first birthday.
• Children 18 months to 5 years old - Three Polio, four DTaP, three Hep B and one Varicella. One Hib and one MMR are required on or after the child’s first birthday.

Which shots does my student need before class starts?

The state health department said children need to have the following vaccines before attending school - or transitional kindergarten through 12th grade:

• Five doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis
• Four doses of Polio
• Three doses of Hepatitis B
• Two doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella
• Two doses of Varicella

Students starting seventh grade must have a Tdap shot, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.

Students in seventh through 12th grades must have at least one dose of a whooping cough vaccine given after their seventh birthday.

The hepatitis B vaccine is required for all grades except when starting seventh grade, according to the California Department of Public Health.

For new or transferring students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade, you’ll need to show proof your child has had all required vaccines for their age.

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2026-08-05T00:00:17Z