Childhood & Required School Immunizations

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Required School Vaccines
Recommended Childhood Vaccines
Important Information and forms

Schools require immunizations for entry into kindergarten, 7th grade, 12th grade, and when transferring into Fairfax County public schools. 

Vaccines are available through private physicians, pharmacies, and clinics.

The Health Department also offers school-required immunizations by appointment only for free at our clinics. 

Required School Vaccines

Documentation of immunization is required for children entering kindergarten, 7th grade, 12th grade, and for new students transferring into schools in Fairfax County. 

Failure to do so may impact a student’s ability to return to school in the fall.

A list of required school immunizations and related forms/documents are available on the Virginia Department of Health website. See the Guide to Required/Recommended Vaccines by Age in English and Spanish. 

Parents of rising 7th and 12th graders should be aware of the following new requirements effective July 1, 2021:

• Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine: The first dose should be administered prior to entering 7th grade. The final dose should be administered prior to entering 12th grade.  For related information, see Vaccine (Shot) for Meningococcal Disease
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: A complete series of 2 doses of HPV vaccine is required for students entering the 7th grade. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters the 7th grade. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents or guardians’ sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine. See: HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention.

The Fairfax County Health Department offers school-required immunizations at the Health Department clinics free of charge. Please call ahead to make an appointment.

At your appointment, bring the following items:

• The child's immunization record and insurance card to the clinic.
• Commonwealth of Virginia School Health Form, with Part 1 filled out by the parent or guardian.
• Health Department forms (see Immunization Forms section below).

COVID-19 Vaccines

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available for children and teens 6 months and older. It can be administered at the same time as with school vaccinations. While COVID-19 vaccine is not required for school, it will provide protection from the disease.

Resources:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens
• Pfizer-BioNTech Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers, Ages 6 months – 4 years (See translations)
• Pfizer-BioNTech Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers, Ages 5 – 11 years (See translations)
• Pfizer-BioNTech Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers, Ages 12+ years (See translations)
• Moderna: Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers, Ages 6 months – 5 years (See translations)
• Moderna: Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers, Ages 6  – 11 years (See translations)
• Moderna: Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers, Ages 12+ years (See translations)

Childhood Immunization Schedule (Birth to 18 Years Old)

Protect infants and children with vaccinations early in life, when they are most vulnerable and before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccinations are available through your health care provider or Fairfax County Health Department clinics. 

Watch the Spanish-language video Protege la salud de su bebe con las vacunas.

View the immunization schedule on the CDC website to see the complete list of recommended immunizations and the ages at which they are given. Schedule is also provided below.

Important Information for Parents

• Please call for a appointment
• Parents should bring the child's immunization record and insurance card to the clinic. If your immunization records are not in English, please seek the assistance of an appropriate translator to translate your record. Without an immunization record in English, your child may need to restart his or her immunization series. How do I find my child's immunization record?

Immunization Forms

Fill out and print the following forms and bring them and your immunization records to your appointment at the Health Department.

• Health Department Registration Form
• Health Department Service Slip: English | Spanish
• Screening Questionnaire for Immunizations
  • Adults: English | Spanish
  • Children and Teens: English
• Eligibility Screening Record (for children under 19 years of age)

If you are unable to print these forms, they will be provided to you at the time of your appointment.

Resources

• Vaccine Information for Parents
  • What are the reasons to vaccinate my baby?
  • Learn about vaccine safety.
  • CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.
• Vaccines for Children Program
• Fairfax County Public Schools: Information for Parents
• Virginia's School and Day Care Minimum Immunization Requirements
• Prevent Whooping Cough: CDC is promoting the "Born with Protection" campaign. This campaign encourages pregnant women to get the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine in the third trimester of every pregnancy.

Información para compartir en Español