Health Requirements for School

Health Requirements for School

All SFUSD students must have the following to enter school:

  • Required immunizations (shots or vaccinations). All students must have documentation on file showing they are up to date on immunizations, or they may not be able to attend school. 
  • Tuberculosis (TB) clearance within one year before entering SFUSD. A signature of a health examiner attesting to no risk factors for TB is acceptable as TB clearance.
  • Physical examination for any TK, kindergartener or new first grader. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends annual well child exams until a child turns 19. Physical exams are crucial for early detection and management of potential health issues, routine monitoring of growth and development, and ensuring your child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As of July 1, 2024,the kindergarten/first grade physical exam requirement is no longer required for school entry, however it is still strongly recommended. If available, please submit documentation of your child's physical exam on the School Health Form to sflink@sfusd.edu
  • Medication Forms must be completed for any students requiring medication during the school day

How to submit your records:

  • Email a copy of your documentation to sflink@sfusd.edu, SUBJECT:  Immunizations, Child's Name, School Site or
  • Upload into ParentVUE's Emergency Card or
  • Submit them at the school on the first day of school using SFUSD School Health Form 

Immunizations requirements by grade

Child Care / PreK

Immunization requirements differ depending on the age of the child when enrolling for child care.

  • 2-3 months: 1 DTaP, 1 Polio, 1 Hep B, 1 Hib
  • 4-5 months: 2 DTaP, 2 Polio, 2 Hep B, 2 Hib
  • 6-14 months: 3 DTaP, 2 Polio, 2 Hep B, 2 Hib
  • 15-17 months: 3 DTaP, 3 Polio, 2 Hep B, 1 MMR (on or after 1st birthday), 1 Hib (on or after 1st birthday)
  • 18 months-4 years: 4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 3 Hep B, 1 MMR (on or after 1st birthday), 1 Hib (on or after 1st birthday- only required for children less than 4 years, 6 months ), 1 Varicella (chickenpox)

TK-12 students

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, Tdap, or Td) — 5 doses (4 doses OK if one was given on or after 4th birthday. 3 doses OK if one was given on or after 7th birthday)
  • Polio (OPV or IPV) — 4 doses (3 doses OK if one was given on or after 4th birthday)
  • Hepatitis B — 3 doses (not required for 7th grade entry)
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) — 2 doses (first dose given on or after 1st birthday) 
  • Varicella (chickenpox) — 2 doses

Students entering 7-12 grade

  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) —1 dose 
  • Varicella (chickenpox) — 2 doses
  • Please note that the TK-12 immunization requirements apply to 7th graders who previously had a valid personal beliefs exemption (PBE) filed in California before 2016. Pre-existing PBEs expire upon entering 7th grade and, therefore, the student is required to meet the TK-12 requirements.
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What does that mean for newcomer students?

  • Often, newcomer students are on a catch-up schedule and are not eligible for their next dose/vaccine, they will be conditionally accepted and will not be on the exclusion list 
  • However, if newcomer students are eligible for their next dose/vaccine and are out of compliance, they will not be conditionally accepted and will be on exclusion list
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Who can be "conditionally accepted"?
  • Conditional admittance means a student has started a vaccination series and is not yet due for any doses. Students will be excluded if they do not complete the next dose according to the recommended schedule or do not submit their records after the scheduled appointment. 
  • Guide to Immunization Requirements (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
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Once the student is notified they are out-of-compliance, what happens if the student has an appointment further out than 10 days?

  • Even with an appointment, if student is out of compliance, by law, we must exclude student.  
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What about exemptions?

For medical exemption: 

Please see the CDPH website has a FAQ sheet for guidance.  

For religious or personal belief exemptions:

As of January 1, 2016, the California Health and Safety Code Sec. 120335 (b) states that a private or public elementary or secondary school shall not admit a student unless the student has been fully immunized.  Since the change in the law, exemptions for religious or other personal beliefs are no longer an option for the required vaccines for entry into school in California.  Informational letter (link coming soon) regarding SFUSD not accepting Religious Exemptions for vaccinations

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What are the health requirements for students who need medical services at school?

Any student who needs medical services at school must have the following:

In order for medical services to be provided at school, the school must have current orders for the needed procedures or medication signed by an eligible California healthcare provider. See the links below for templates that should be taken to your child’s provider to complete. The form must be signed by both the healthcare provider AND the parent/guardian before submitting to the school. A new form must be completed annually and whenever there is a change in the orders.

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Resources

Need immunizations?

  • Call your student's doctor. 
  • If your student doesn't have a doctor they may be eligible for "Gateway" Medi-cal
    • Eligibility criteria: families with children and youth (ages 0-18yrs) who are uninsured (or underinsured) and low to moderate income
    • Gateway provides temporary full-scope, no-cost Medi-Cal benefits at the time of service at a Gateway provider clinic 
    • Teen Clinics for Primary Care and Immunizations (for students 12 years old and older)
    • SF Health Network New Patient Intake Line (Public or low cost clinics): Call to make an appointment  (415) 682-1740

Helpful Links:

This page was last updated on August 22, 2024