School Year 2023-24 Health Entry Requirements

As you look forward to summer, make sure to include appointments for immunizations and physical exams in your plans, so you are ready for the new school year!

• The state of Virginia (Code of Virginia § 32.1-46.A.4) requires all students enrolling in private or public schools in the state to align with current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations. Students must meet minimum health entry requirements by the first day of school in order to attend school in person.
• Update immunizations are not required to register for school but are required to attend school in the fall.
• You can find information on all school immunization entry requirements for newly enrolling students here: School Requirements – Immunization (virginia.gov), and School Health Forms and Action Plans

In addition to the requirements for all newly enrolling students, the following grade-specific requirements apply:

Kindergarten Entry:

• Proof of two properly spaced doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine (HAV) are required for currently enrolled students entering kindergarten. The first dose should be administered at age 12 months or older.
  • A Comprehensive Physical Examination Report completed in the 12 months prior to the first day of school is also required prior to kindergarten entry.
    • To be considered complete, the physical examination must include the results of a tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment (and the results of a TB skin or blood test if the risk assessment is positive) and an up-to-date immunization record.
    • This is required even if your student is currently enrolled in one of Arlington Public Schools’ pre-kindergarten programs.

Seventh Grade Entry:

• Proof of one tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) booster given at or after age 7 and a first dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) given at or after age 11 are required prior to the first day of school for all 7th
• The first dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is also required by the Virginia Department of Health for all rising 7th Students will not be excluded if the parent or guardian elects for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine or not to provide proof of administration.

Twelfth Grade Entry:

• Proof of a booster dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) given at 16 years of age or older, regardless of whether MenACWY dose was received at 11 years of age.

Where Can I Take My Student to Receive Vaccines or Get a Physical?

• Talk to your school’s School Health Clinic Staff to determine which of the following options for completing the school entry health requirements are best for your student:

• Your student’s primary healthcare provider
  • Required vaccines and school physicals are typically covered by insurance plans. Make an appointment now to avoid the back-to-school rush!
• Arlington County Immunization Clinic at 2100 Washington Blvd

• Required vaccines are provided at no cost; other recommended vaccines may include a fee (see website)
• An appointment is required and wait times may vary.
  • Days and hours of operation can be found here: Immunization Clinic – Official Website of Arlington County (arlingtonva.us)

• Your student’s middle or high school health clinic
  • For the  7th and 12th grade vaccine requirements of Tdap, Meningococcal, and HPV, your health clinic will be providing school-based vaccination opportunities in Spring of 2023.
  • There is no cost to receive these vaccines at the school clinic, but eligibility and insurance status will be assessed as part of the mandatory consent process.
  •  If vaccine is not able to be administered at the school for any reason, it remains the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that student complies with all school entry vaccine requirements.
• Please reach out to your School Health Clinic Staff if you have additional questions.