State-required Immunizations for Students
Children entering preschool, kindergarten or seventh grade and those enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time should receive the following immunizations. Parents must also provide their child’s school with a state immunization certificate, which documents the vaccinations.
The vaccines and the immunization certificates are available at pediatrician offices or at any Knox County Health Department location (see our location and contact information on the right). Tennessee's vaccine requirements follow recommendations from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Immunization requirements by grade:
Day care, Pre-school or Pre-kindergarten
(Infants entering child care facilities must be up to date at the time of enrollment and are required to provide an updated certificate after completing all of the required vaccines due no later than 18 months of age.)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (1 dose of each, normally given together as MMR)
- Varicella (1 dose or credible history of disease)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) – age younger than 5 years only
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – age younger than 5 years only
- Hepatitis A – 1 dose, required by 18 months of age or older
Kindergarten
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
- Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after the 4th birthday
- Varicella (2 doses or history of disease)
- Hepatitis A (total of 2 doses, spaced at least 6 months apart)
Seventh Grade
- Tetanus-diptheria-pertusis booster (Tdap)
- Verification of immunity to varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease)
New Students to Tennessee Schools
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR)
- Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) (final dose on or after the 4th birthday)
- Varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease)
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- New students entering grades other than 7th grade are not required to have Tdap
Medical or Religious Exemptions
Children with medical exemptions must provide documentation from their medical provider. Religious exemptions require a signed statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination(s) conflict with their religious tenets or practices.
More information:
For more information about the school immunization policy, call Knox County Schools at 865-594-1800. To see if your child has the required immunizations, contact the medical office or clinic where your child receives vaccinations. You may also contact the Knox County Health Department at 865-215-5150 or health@knoxcounty.org.
