Prince William County Public Schools
Health Requirements
Students who do not meet the immunization and/or physical examination requirements for the current school year will be excluded from school until the requirements are met.
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) requires students to meet state immunization and physical examination requirements before attending school.
Virginia law requires all students entering kindergarten through grade 12 to be adequately immunized (Virginia Code § 22.1-271.2).
Virginia law requires students registering for school for the first time in kindergarten through fifth grade to receive a comprehensive physical examination before beginning school (Virginia Code § 22.1-270).
Immunization Requirements
No student shall be admitted by a school unless at the time of admission:
- The student or their parent/guardians submits proof of immunization on the Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form (or an immunization record signed by a health care provider);
- The student is exempted from immunization for medical or religious reasons;
- The student is a homeless child or youth;
- The student is in foster care; or
- The student is a child of an active duty parent/guardian.
Students must also meet additional immunization requires before beginning grade 7 and grade 12.
Required Immunizations for All Students
| Vaccine | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, or Tdap) | A minimum of four properly spaced doses. A child must have at least one dose of DTaP or DTP vaccine on or after the fourth birthday. DT (Diphtheria, Tetanus) vaccine is required for children who are medically exempt from the pertussis-containing vaccine (DTaP or DTP). Adult Td is required for children seven years of age and older who do not meet the minimum requirements for tetanus and diphtheria. A booster dose of the Tdap vaccine is required for all children entering grade 7. |
| Hepatitis A (HAV) Vaccine | A minimum of two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine. The first dose should be administered at age 12 months or older. |
| Hepatitis B Vaccine | A complete series of three properly spaced doses of hepatitis B vaccine are required for all children. However, the FDA has approved a two-dose schedule only for adolescents 11-15 years of age and only when the Merck Brand (RECOMBIVAX HB) Adult Formulation Hepatitis B Vaccine is used. If the two-dose schedule is used for adolescents 11-15 years of age, it must be clearly documented on the school form. |
| Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine | A minimum of two measles, two mumps, and one rubella. (Most children receive two doses of each because the vaccine usually administered is the combination vaccine MMR). The first dose must be administered at age 12 months or older. The second dose of vaccine must be administered before entering kindergarten but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose one and dose two. |
| Polio (IPV) Vaccine | A minimum of four doses of polio vaccine. One dose must be administered on or after the fourth birthday. See the supplemental guidance document for additional information. |
| Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine | All children shall be required to have one dose of chickenpox vaccine administered at age 12 months or older. A second dose must be administered before entering kindergarten but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose one and dose two. |
Required Immunizations for Students Less Than 5 Years Old
These immunizations are only required if a student starts school before they are 5 years old.
| Vaccine | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) Vaccine | A primary series consists of either two or three doses (depending on the manufacturer). However, the child's current age and not the number of prior doses received govern the number of doses required. Unvaccinated children between the ages of 15 and 60 months are only required to have one dose of vaccine. |
| Pneumococcal (PCV) Vaccine | One to four doses, dependent on age at first dose, of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, are required. |
Additional Required Immunizations for Students in 7th Grade or Higher
| Vaccine | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, or Tdap) | A booster dose of the Tdap vaccine is required for all children entering grade 7. (Additional information regarding this vaccine can be found at the beginning of this chart.) |
| Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine | A complete series of two doses of HPV vaccine is required for students entering grade 7. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters grade 7. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parent's or guardian's sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine. |
| Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine | A minimum of two doses of MenACWY vaccine. The first dose should be administered before entering grade 7. The final dose should be administered before entering grade 12. |
Additional Required Immunizations for Students in 12th Grade
| Vaccine | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine | The initial dose should be administered before entering grade 7. The final dose should be administered before entering grade 12. |
How to Check Student Immunization Compliance
Parents/guardians can view information about student immunization compliance in ParentVUE.
For specific questions about immunization non-compliance or for assistance in setting up a ParentVUE account, please contact your school.
How to check on a computer (web browser)
- Navigate to ParentVUE and log in.
- In the top left corner, select the student.
- Click "Health".
- View Immunization Name, Status, and Dosage Information.
How to check on the ParentVUE mobile app
- Log in to ParentVUE.
- Select the student.
- Click "Health".
- Click "Immunizations".
- View immunization name and compliance status.
Providing Immunization Information to the School
Once completed, provide documentation to your student’s school indicating that your student has received the immunization(s). All documentation must include the student’s full name and ID number. Immunization information must be delivered in person to the school's office.
If your student cannot receive an immunization for some reason, the health provider must give you a medical exemption statement to provide to your student’s school.
Physical Examination Requirement
Virginia law requires that children enrolling in school for the first time, whether in preschool or kindergarten through fifth grade, receive a comprehensive physical examination before beginning school.
This physical examination must be dated no earlier than 12 months before the date the student first enters preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school.
Providing Physical Examination to the School
School physical appointments can be scheduled with your health care provider, urgent care, or local health clinics.
The completed school physical health form must be uploaded during the online registration or provided to your student’s school indicating that your student has received a school physical. School physical health forms must be delivered in person to the school's office.
If your student cannot receive a school physical for some reason, the healthcare provider must give you a medical exemption statement to provide to your student’s school.
Virginia Department of Health
Resources and Forms
-
Immunization Information
- Virginia Childhood Vaccination Schedules - Birth to 18 years (PDF)
- Programa de vacunación infantil de Virginia: Nacimiento - 18 años (PDF)
- School Immunization Requirements (PDF)
- Supplemental Guidance for School-Required Immunizations (PDF)
- Virginia Department of Health: School & Day Care Minimum Immunization Requirements
- AAP Immunization Schedule (PDF)
- AAFP Immunization Schedule (PDF)
- Tdap School Immunization Requirement (PDF)
- Tdap School Immunization Requirement (PDF) (Español)
- Rising Kindergartener Letter (PDF)
- Rising 7th Grader Letter (PDF)
- Rising 12th Grader Letter (PDF)
- VDH Religious Exemption Form (PDF)
Need Immunizations or a Physical for Your Child?
Your child can receive missing immunizations or a physical examination by scheduling an appointment with your health care provider, urgent care, local pharmacy, or one of the clinics listed below (not all clinics provide physical exams).