Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Age at enrollmentBy 3 months
- DTaP 1 dose
- IPV/OPV 1 dose
- Hib 1 dose
- PCV 1 dose
Healthy New Jersey
New Jersey Immunization Requirements
New Jersey Immunization Requirements
New Jersey requires children to be vaccinated against certain diseases before they can attend school or child care. These requirements help protect all children, including those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, by reducing the spread of infectious disease in group settings.
Use the tables below to find out which vaccines are required for your child's age or grade level.
If you have questions about your child's specific situation, contact your child's health care provider or your local health department.
About these requirements
New Jersey school immunization requirements are established under the Immunization of Pupils in Schools rules, New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 8:57-4).
New Jersey's requirements are in accordance with national immunization recommendations and guidelines. NJDOH establishes the minimum vaccine requirements for child care centers, preschool, and school entry and attendance.
Schools are required to enforce these requirements, maintain immunization records, and submit annual reports to the state and their respective local health department. View the full administrative code.
Child Care and Preschool
New Jersey requires children attending child care centers and preschools to meet minimum immunization requirements. These vaccines help protect children from serious illnesses that can easily spread in group settings, where young children are in close contact with one another. For the best protection, children should follow the AAP childhood schedule.
Child Care and Preschool Immunization Requirements
| DTaP | Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b |
| Flu | Influenza |
| IPV/OPV | Inactivated Polio Vaccine / Oral Polio Vaccine |
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, and Rubella |
| PCV | Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine |
| VAR | Varicella (Chickenpox) |
Required vaccines by age at enrollment
Doses shown are cumulative totals, not new doses at each age
Age at enrollmentBy 5 months
- DTaP 2 doses
- IPV/OPV 2 doses
- Hib 2 doses
- PCV 2 doses
Age at enrollmentBy 7 months
- DTaP 3 doses
- IPV/OPV 2 doses
- Hib 2–3 doses
- PCV 3 doses
- Flu* 1 dose
* Flu due every year by Nov. 30
Age at enrollmentBy 16 months
- DTaP 3 doses
- IPV/OPV 2 doses
- Hib 3–4 doses
- PCV 4 doses
- Flu 1 dose
- MMR 1 dose
- VAR 1 dose
MMR and VAR can be given at 12 months; required by 16.
Age at enrollmentBy 19 months
- DTaP 4 doses
- IPV 3 doses
- Hib 3–4 doses
- PCV 4 doses
- Flu 1 dose
- MMR 1 dose
- VAR 1 dose
Download New Jersey School Vaccine Requirements for Child Care and Preschool Flyer
This summary flyer is available to download in the following languages:
Notes
This is a summary document. New Jersey's minimum immunization requirements are based on the AAP childhood immunization schedule.
Before entering child care or preschool: All children must show proof of receiving at least one dose of each required vaccine. This is called provisional admission. A child entering at an age not listed must meet the requirements for the previous age group. For example, a 2-month-old must meet the same requirements as a 3-month-old.
How to read the doses: The doses shown reflect the total required by that age, not additional doses at each visit. For example, three DTaP doses are required by 7 months and four total doses are required by 19 months.
Catch-up schedule: Children who are not up to date must follow the catch-up immunization schedule. Fewer doses may be needed than what is listed if a child is behind schedule. Parents should speak with their child's health care provider.
IPV/OPV: OPV is not available in the United States but may have been used in other countries. OPV doses are only accepted if given before April 2016. Children who received OPV after April 2016 must receive IPV doses instead.
Hib: By 6 months, children need at least two doses of Hib. Some children may have three doses by that age depending on the vaccine brand received.
Hib and PCV: Fewer doses may be acceptable depending on when vaccines were given and the vaccine type. In all cases, at least one dose must be given on or after the child's first birthday.
Flu: One dose of flu vaccine is due every year by Nov. 30 for all children 6 months of age and older enrolled in child care or preschool.
MMR: Children can receive this vaccine as early as 12 months, but it is required for child care and preschool attendance by 16 months.
Varicella (Chickenpox): Children can receive this vaccine as early as 12 months, but it is required for child care and preschool attendance by 16 months.
Exemptions: Medical and religious exemptions are detailed in the Immunization of Children in Child Care Centers and Schools regulations. Additional resources are available at nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements.
Kindergarten through 12th Grade (K-12)
New Jersey requires children attending school to meet minimum immunization requirements. These vaccines help protect children from serious illnesses that can easily spread in group settings, where they are in close contact with one another. For the best protection, children should follow the AAP childhood schedule.
The table below shows the number of vaccine doses required based on the child's grade at entry. Fewer doses may be needed if the child is behind schedule. Talk to your child's health care provider for details.
K-12 Immunization Requirements
| DTaP | Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough) |
| Td | Tetanus and diphtheria |
| Tdap | Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis |
| IPV/OPV | Inactivated Polio Vaccine / Oral Polio Vaccine |
| MMR | Measles, Mumps and Rubella |
| VAR | Varicella (Chickenpox) |
| Hep B | Hepatitis B |
| MenACWY | Meningococcal ACWY |
Required vaccines by grade at entry
| Vaccine | Kindergarten or Grade 1 | Grades 2–6 | Grades 7–12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTaP / Td / Tdap * | 4 or 5 doses; at least 1 dose on or after the 4th birthday | Proof of completing primary series; at least 1 dose on or after the 4th birthday | Proof of completing primary series and at least 1 Tdap dose at age 10 or older |
| IPV/OPV | 3 or 4 doses; at least 1 dose on or after the 4th birthday | ||
| MMR | 2 doses | ||
| VAR | 1 dose | ||
| Hep B | 3 doses or an approved two-dose series | ||
| MenACWY | None | None | 1 dose at age 10 or older |
Download New Jersey School Vaccine Requirements for K-12 Flyer
This summary flyer is available to download in the following languages:
Notes
This is a summary document. New Jersey's minimum immunization requirements are based on the AAP childhood immunization schedule. Vaccines are required at the earliest age of school entry.
DTaP / Td / Tdap Kindergarten or Grade 1: By the time children start school, they need 4 or 5 DTaP doses, depending on their age when they began the vaccination series. At least 1 dose must be given on or after their 4th birthday.
DTaP / Td / Tdap Grades 2–6: A primary series means completing all the beginning doses of a vaccine. Children age 7 or older who are not up to date need to either finish their Td/Tdap vaccine series or show they have already had at least 3 total doses of DTaP, Td or Tdap with 1 dose on or after the 4th birthday. Your health care provider can help your child get caught up using the catch-up schedule.
DTaP / Td / Tdap Grades 7 and higher: Students must have 1 Tdap dose given at age 10 or older and show proof they completed the primary series.
Kindergarten through Grade 12
IPV/OPV: OPV is not recommended for use, nor is it available in the United States. However, OPV may have been used in other countries. Doses are only accepted if given before April 2016. Children who received OPV doses after April 2016 must receive IPV doses instead. At least 1 dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday. Students 18 and older must now meet the requirements for school attendance.
MMR: 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella are required.
Varicella (Chickenpox): 1 dose is required. 2 doses are recommended by AAP but are not required for school attendance.
Hep B: 3 doses or an approved two-dose series.
MenACWY: 1 dose is required for students ages 10 and older in grades 7 through 12. Doses given before age 10 must be repeated.
Catch-up schedule: Children who are not up to date must follow the catch-up immunization schedule. Parents should speak with their child's health care provider.
Exemptions: Medical and religious exemptions are detailed in the Immunization of Children in Child Care Centers and Schools regulations. Additional resources are available at nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements.
Additional resources are available at nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements.