An official Tennessee Certificate of Immunization is required for entry into school and is only available from a private healthcare provider or from the Metropolitan Public Health Department. State law requires that the completed certificate must be provided to the school before the child can attend school.

Find out where you can get your needed immunizations.

PRE-SCHOOL AND PRE-KINDERGARTEN
Para los padres con niños entrando al Preescolar y Prekínder

Children Entering Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten the following vaccinations are required:

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
• Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (1 dose of each, usually given together as MMR)
• Varicella (1 dose or history of disease)
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib): age younger than 5 years only (this requirement is resumed immediately, following suspension during a national Hib vaccine shortage 2008-2009)
• Hepatitis B (HBV) (July 1, 2010)
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV): age younger than 5 years only (July 1, 2010)
• Hepatitis A (1 dose, required by 18 months of age or older (July 1, 2010)

KINDERGARTEN
Para los padres con niños entrando al Kindergarten

Children enrolling in Kindergarten the following vaccinations are required:

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
• Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV): final dose on or after the 4th birthday now required
• Varicella (2 doses or history of disease): previously only one dose was required)
• Hepatitis A (2 doses): effective July 1, 2011

7TH GRADE STUDENTS
Para los padres con niños pasando al séptimo grado en una escuela de MNPS

The new Certificate of Immunization showing that your child has met the new immunization requirements is required for entry into 7th grade and should be available from your child’s medical provider beginning April 1.

Children currently enrolled in a Tennessee school and entering the 7th grade must show proof of two new immunizations:

• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (“Tdap”)
• Verification of immunity to varicella; (2 doses or history of disease)

Download Immunization flyers in:
English
Spanish
Kurdish
Arabic

STUDENTS NEW TO TN SCHOOLS (OTHER THAN KINDERGARTEN)
Para los padres con niños inscribiéndose por primera vez en una escuela de Tennessee

Children who are new enrollees in a TN school (other than Kindergarten):

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
• Hepatitis B (HBV): previously only for Kindergarten, 7th grade entry
• Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV): final dose on or after the 4th birthday now required
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
• Varicella (2 doses or history of disease): previously only one dose was required

In addition to the above listed immunizations, new enrollees into 7th grade will also need:

• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (“Tdap”)

Children with medical or religious exemption to requirements:

• Medical: Healthcare provider must indicate which specific vaccines are medically exempted (because of risk of harm) on the new form. Other vaccines remain required.
• Religious: Requires only a signed statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. If documentation of a health examination is required, it must be noted by the health care provider on the immunization certificate. In that case, the provider may explain the absence of immunization information by checking that the parent has obtained a religious exemption.