Children entering preschool, kindergarten or seventh grade and those enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time should receive the immunizations listed below. Parents must also provide their child’s school with a state immunization certificate, which documents the vaccinations, before the first day of school.
Vaccines and immunization certificates are available at your pediatrician’s office or the Knox County Health Department. To see if your child has proof of the required vaccines, you may contact the medical office or clinic where your child receives vaccinations, or you may call 865-215-5150.
To have your child vaccinated at the health department, please call 865-215-5070 to schedule an appointment. At the appointment, please bring your (parent/guardian’s) photo ID, insurance card and your child’s vaccination record. For questions about legal guardianship, please call 865-215-5070. Most insurance plans cover preventive services such as vaccines, but parents are encouraged to confirm this with their insurance provider prior to the appointment. Vaccines are available to children who do not have insurance at no cost. There is a minimal fee for administration. Appointments are available at each KCHD location:
- Main Offices and the Travel and Immunization Clinic, 140 Dameron Avenue, 865-215-5070
- West Clinic, 1028 Old Cedar Bluff, 865-215-5950
Tennessee’s vaccine requirements follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Childhood immunizations are vital in protecting children from potentially serious diseases. The CDC estimates vaccinations will prevent more than 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 deaths among children born in the last 20 years. In addition, vaccines are widely considered one of the most well-researched and safe medical interventions available. In fact, data show that the current U.S. vaccine supply is the safest in history.
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)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (1 dose of each, 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 – First dose given at 1 year of age
Kindergarten
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis series (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- Hepatitis B (HBV) series (usually completed in infancy)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, given together as MMR)
- Poliomyelitis (IPV) series – 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)
- Two dose of varicella or credible history of disease if new to TN schools
With your child starting seventh grade, this is also a great opportunity for him/her to get vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all kids who are 11 or 12 years old to get two shots of HPV vaccine six months apart. HPV is a very common virus. About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. Most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems. Sometimes, however, HPV infections will last longer, and can cause certain cancers and others diseases. HPV vaccine is cancer prevention. Click HERE to learn more about HPV and why your soon-to-be seventh grader needs HPV vaccination. We also recommend that all 11 to 12 year olds be vaccinated with a meningococcal vaccine as well. You can learn more about this vaccine here
New Students to Tennessee Schools
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis series(DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, given together as MMR)
- Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) series (final dose on or after the 4th birthday)
- Varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease)
- Hepatitis B (HBV) series
- New students entering grades other than 7th grade are not required to have Tdap
Full-time Tennessee college students
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, given together as MMR): if born on or after January 1, 1957 only
- Varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease): if born on or after January 1, 1980 only
- Hepatitis B – only for health science students expected to have patient contact (before patient contact begins)
- Meningococcal – At a minimum of 1 dose at 16 years of age or greater if enrolling in public institution for the first time and under 22 years of age and living on-campus housing; private institutions set their own requirements for this vaccine
Alternative proof of immunity for certain diseases
A positive serology (year of test documented) is acceptable as an alternative to immunization for measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B or varicella. For varicella, documentation by a provider of a diagnosis of varicella disease or provider-verified credible history of disease given by a parent or guardian is also acceptable. By documenting a history of the disease, the provider is asserting that he or she is convinced that the child has had chickenpox.
Medical or Religious Exemptions:
Children with medical exemptions must provide their child’s school with documentation from their medical provider. Religious exemptions require a signed statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination(s) conflict with his or her religious tenets or practices.
More information:
For more information about Knox County Schools’ immunization policy, please call 865-594-3735 or visit the Health Services page on the Knox County Schools website at knoxschools.org.
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.
