Immunizations are your child's best protection against 16 major diseases, and as of 2011 there were several new requirements for children entering 7th grade, elementary school, preschool, and childcare.* Check with your health care provider to make sure your child is up-to-date, or if you have concerns about the appropriate vaccines for your child.
*Under Idaho law, parents are allowed to claim an exemption from immunization requirements for their child for medical, religious, or personal reasons. All exemptions must be documented on the official State of Idaho form provided by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Immunization Program.
New as of 2011
- Preschool/Childcare: Varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis A, pneumococcal, and rotavirus are all now required.
- Elementary: Varicella, hepatitis A, and a fourth dose of polio are required for children born after 2005.
- 7th Grade: Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and meningococcal are all required.
| SUMMARY OF CHILDCARE IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS | |||||||||||
| Age-Deadline to Obtain Required Doses | Required Shots According to Idaho Law (All doses must meet minimum ages and intervals) | ||||||||||
| DTaP | Polio | MMR | Hep B | Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)11 | Varicella | Hep A | Pneumo-coccal | Rotavirus11 | |||
| Act- Hib | Pedvax Hib | Rotarix (RV1) | RotaTeq (RV5) | ||||||||
| 3 Months | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 Months | 2 | 2 | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 7 Months | 3 | - | - | - | 3 | - | - | - | 3 | - | 2 |
| 16 Months | - | - | 1 | - | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | - | - |
| 19 Months | 4 | 3 | - | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2 Years | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | - |
| 7 Years | 52 | 43 | 2 | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | - | - |
1. Number of doses required depends on vaccine brand type.
2. DTaP: The 5th dose is not necessary if the 4th dose was administered at age 4 years or older.
3. Polio: The 4th dose is not necessary if the 3th dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after previous dose.
| MINIMUM IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL ENTRY | |
| Immunization Requirement by Age | Doses of Vaccines Required |
| Children born on or before September 1, 1999 must have a minimum of: | (4) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), (1) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), (3) Polio, (3) Hepatitis B |
| Children born after September 1, 1999 - September 1, 2005 must have a minimum of: | (5) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)2, (2) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), (3) Polio, (3) Hepatitis B |
| Children born after September 1, 20051 must have a minimum of: | (5) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)2, (2) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), (4) Polio3, (3) Hepatitis B, (2) Varicella (Chickenpox)4, (2) Hepatitis A |
| 7th GRADE IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS | |
| Immunization Requirement by Grade | Doses of Vaccines Required |
| Children admitted to 7th grade during or after the 2011-2012 school year must meet the following minimum immunization requirements in addition to school entry requirements: | (1) Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap), (1) Meningococcal |
1. Preschool children need only be age-appropriately immunized with the required vaccines.
2. DTaP: The 5th dose is not necessary if the 4th dose was administered at age 4 years or older.
3. Polio: The 4th dose is not necessary if the 3th dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after previous dose.
4. Varicella: History of chickenpox disease documented by a physician or licensed health care professional meets the requirement.
