Vaccinations	Kindergarten/Grades 1-6	Grades 7-11	Grade 12
Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (DTap, DTP, DT, or Td) 1 dose on or after 4th birthday	4 doses	4 doses	4 doses
Polio 4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given	4 doses (A 4th dose is not necessary if 3rd dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after previous dose)	4 doses (A 4th dose is not necessary if 3rd dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after previous dose)	4 doses (A 4th dose is not necessary if 3rd dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after previous dose)
Measles, mumps, & rubella (MMR)	2 doses	2 doses	2 doses
Hepatitis B	3 doses	3 doses	3 doses
Varicella (chickenpox)	2 doses (or evidence of immunity)	2 doses (or evidence of immunity)	2 doses (or evidence of immunity)
Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)	N/A	1 dose	1 dose
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)	N/A	1 dose (First dose is given at 11- 15 years of age; a second dose is required at age 16 or upon entry into 12th grade)	1 or 2 doses (If first dose of MenACWY was given at age 16 or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose)

Please note: If a child gains entrance to school in any succeeding year, the same immunizations are required on the first day.

For more information about immunization requirements, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website.

Immunizations for the first day of school

• What happens if a child does not receive a required vaccine of a single-dose series by the first day of school? If a child has not received a vaccine for which only a single dose is required on the first day of attendance for that school year, the child may not be admitted to school.

• What happens if a child does not receive all the required vaccines of a multi-dose series by the first day of school?If a multi-dose vaccine is medically appropriate at the time of school entry, the child has five days to receive the vaccine or risk exclusion. If the required vaccine is not medically appropriate to be given within the first five days of school, a medical certificate is needed within the first five days of school outlining the plan to receive the required vaccine(s).

• If a child has not received all the antigens for a multiple-dose vaccine series that were medically appropriate to be given within those first five days of school, what is the next step?  The administrator in charge of the school or the appointed designee shall undertake exclusion measures until the vaccine requirements are met.

 

The Pennsylvania Public School Code Section 1402 requires new students and students in 6th and 11th grades to be given a comprehensive physical examination for the school year.  The student’s primary care provider or school provider must conduct the physical examination, complete the examination form in English or Spanish, and turn it in with eligible students on the first day of school. The examination and form can be dated as early as January 1 of the current school year. 

To participate in practices, scrimmages, or games, students must undergo a Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation, complete sections one through six of the evaluation form in English or Spanish, and submit the finished form to the school’s athletic director. 

According to the Pennsylvania Public School Code, dental screenings are required at initial school entry in kindergarten or 1st grade, and again in 3rd and 7th grade.  A private dentist or school provider must conduct the examination and complete this form, which must be turned in with eligible students on the first day of school. 

The Request For Administration of Medication, Treatments or Use of Equipment In School (MED 1) permits school health staff to administer prescribed medications and treatments to students and store medical equipment in the school health office. If needed, please have the student’s primary care provider complete this form and submit it on the first day of school. 

The Medication Consent Form permits school health staff to administer over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and antacids to students in school. If needed, please complete this form and submit it on the first day of school. 

The forms will also be available to pick up at your child’s school.

The Pennsylvania Public School Code requires specific health screenings for students based on their grade level. These screenings are provided to all students in Pennsylvania and are not substitutes for regular checkups with the student’s pediatrician. 

School nurses will perform the following screenings: 

• Growth screenings for height and weight: Grades K-12
• Vision screenings: Grades K-12
• Hearing screenings: Grades K,1,2,3,7, and 11
• Scoliosis screening: Grades 6 and 7 

All students are required to have the following immunizations: 

Vaccinations	Kindergarten - Grade 1	Grades 2 - 5	Grades 6 - 12
DTap - Diptheria, Tetanus, acellular pertussis NOTE: Children 7 years of age and older, who have not been previously vaccinated with the primary DTaP series,should receive 3 doses of Td.	A total of 4 doses with one of these doses on or after the 4th birthday OR any 5 doses	3 doses	3 doses
Polio	A total of 3 doses with one of these doses given on or after the 4th birthday OR any 4 doses	3 doses	3 doses
Measles, mumps, & rubella (MMR)	2 doses	2 doses	2 doses
Hepatitis B	3 doses	3 doses	3 doses
Varicella (chickenpox)	1 dose	1 dose	1 dose
TDap - Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis	None	None	1 dose required for children born on or after 1/1/97
Meningococcal Tdap	None	None	1 dose required for children born on or after 1/1/97 given no earlier than ten years of age

For more information about immunization requirements, visit the New Jersey Department of Health’s website. 

Each student is required to undergo a medical examination for entry into school. The physical examination must include immunization information, medical history, allergies, and health screenings, and should be performed where the student receives medical care or by the school physician. The medical examination form must be submitted within 30 days of the start of the school year. To find a local provider for medical care, check out the resources for New Jersey families. 

To participate in practices, scrimmages, or games, students must undergo a Pre-participation Physical Evaluation and submit a Medical Eligibility form, along with a Health History form and an annual Athletic Pre-Participation Physical examination form.  

Mastery will permit the school nurse to administer medication, with the exception of epinephrine for anaphylaxis, to students provided that: 

• Parents/guardians provide to the school nurse a completed medication administration form from the student’s physician;
• Parents/guardians submit a new medication administration form following any changes to the student’s medication; 
• The parents/guardians or student provide to the school nurse the medication in the original container, and this container is clearly labeled with the student’s name, physician’s name, medication name, dosage, and frequency of administration; and
• Parents/guardians submit a new medication authorization form each school year.

Mastery will permit the school nurse to administer epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to any student without a known history of anaphylaxis when the nurse or trained designee in good faith believes the student is having an anaphylactic reaction, regardless of whether the parents/guardians of the student have: 

• Provided written authorization for the administration of epinephrine; 
• Provided written orders from the physician or advanced practice nurse that the student requires epinephrine for anaphylaxis; 
• Received written notice from the board of education (BOE) or nonpublic school chief school administrator that the agencies and their employees or agents have no liability as a result of an injury arising from the administration of epinephrine; and
• Signed a statement releasing the BOE or nonpublic school of liability.

Under no circumstances are any Mastery staff or contractors other than the school nurse, school physician, or a substitute school nurse allowed to administer any medication to a student. 

 At the end of the school year, it is the parents’ or guardians’ responsibility to pick up any unused medications from the nurse’s office. Medication remaining in the nurse’s office following the end of the school year will be properly disposed of in accordance with school policy.  

New Jersey law requires specific health screenings for students based on their grade level. These screenings are conducted by a school physician, school nurse, or properly trained school personnel. 

School nurses will perform the following screenings: 

• Growth screenings for height and weight: Grades K-12
• Vision screenings: Grades K,2,4,6,8, and 10
• Hearing screenings: Grades K-3, 7 and 11
• Scoliosis screening*: Grades 5,7,9 and 11

*Regulation is based on age, so grade level may vary: Screening for scoliosis shall be conducted biennially for students between the ages of 10 and 18 pursuant to N.J.S.A.18A:40-4.3