Immunizations

Immunization requirements must be met by all students before starting school. Please do not register without proper documentation. Contact your child's health care provider if you have questions. Vaccines are available at the Peninsula Health Department. Call (757) 594-7410 for more information.

IMPORTANT!

One dose of meningococcal is required for entry into 12th grade for all students.  This dose must be administered at 16 years or older. All students entering 12th grade must have one dose of the meningococcal vaccine, MenACWY, prior to the start of the school year, 2023-2024. Documentation must be given to the school nurse prior to the start of school. Vaccines are available at the Peninsula Health District, all military treatment facilities, local pharmacies and at your student's medical provider. Students may not start school on August 29 without documented proof of the MenACWY vaccine.

TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) and Meningococcal Vaccine Information for all 7th Grade Entry: 7th graders must have a documented Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal vaccine in order to receive their class schedules in the Fall.

  • Virginia law requires 7th and new 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders to have a current TDAP shot.
  • School Year 2023-2024: All 7th, 8th & 9th graders are required to have one dose of MenACWY (Meningococcal).
  • 7th grade schedules to be held until proof of immunization is provided.
  • TDAP shots available for children at ages 11-12 at the Peninsula Health Department (757-594-7410).
  • Pertussis (whooping cough) is often mistaken for other illnesses, and it is estimated that over a million people get it every year. Preteens and teenagers are at risk since the protection from whooping cough shots given to babies begins to wear off after 5 to 10 years.

 Immunizations and Health Requirements

Is your child ready to be enrolled in Newport News Public Schools?

Learn about health requirements for enrollment: www.vdh.virginia.gov/backtoschool

All students must receive the following vaccinations to enroll in and attend school. Students in Pre-K programs and elementary schools must also receive a physical exam. Review your child's vaccine needs based on their grade level this school year. The number of doses your child needs may vary based on age and previous doses received. Your child may need additional doses if previous doses were given too early.

HEALTH/IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS PRE-K (PEEP, ECC) KINDERGARTEN-GRADE 5 GRADES 6-11 GRADE 12
Physical Exam
(If physical is provided for a NNPS Pre-K program another is not required to enter elementary school)
1 Exam: Performed within 12 months of initial entry 1 Exam: Performed within 12 months of first entry to school in any school division  
Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) 1 to 4 doses  
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) 1 to 4 doses  
Hepatitis A (Hep A) Pre-K through Grade 2: 2 doses  
Hepatitis B (Hep B) 3 doses 3 doses 3 doses 3 doses
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) 1 dose 2 doses 2 doses 2 doses
Varicella (Chickenpox) 1 dose 2 doses 2 doses 2 doses
Polio (IPV/OPV) 3-4 doses 4 doses (4th dose on or after 4th birthday)
or 3 doses if dose 3 given on or after 4th birthday and 6 months after dose 2
Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP) 3-4 doses 4 doses (4th dose on or after 4th birthday)
or 3 doses if 7 or older, dose 1 given on or after 1st birthday AND dose 3 given on or after 4th birthday
Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis Booster (Tdap)   Grade 7: 1 dose for ALL students
Grades 8-12: 1 dose if not received prior to 7th grade entry
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY, MCV4)   Grades 7, 8, 9: 1 dose
Grade 12: 1 dose on or after 16th birthday
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)   Grade 7: 2 doses (1 dose before entry)
  • Physical, Pre-K: A report of a physical examination performed within 12 months of the first day of school is required to enroll regardless of birth month. Students who attend a NNPS Pre-K program and provided a physical exam are not required to provide another upon entry to K.
  • Physical, K-5th grade: Students being admitted to NNPS for the first time are required to provide a report of a physical examination performed within 12 months of the date the student first entered school in any school division. Out of state physical exams are acceptable if the information provided is comprehensive and inclusive of Virginia requirements. Download the Virginia Department of Health School Physical Form.
  • Pre-K students with August or September birthdays may enroll with proof of 3 doses of DTP and IPV. An updated vaccine record which includes 4 doses of each must be provided within 30 days from birthday. Must be up to date on all other vaccines and provide physical exam to enroll and begin school.
  • The initial enrollment date is the first date of school attendance in any school system (K through 5).
  • Enrollment date in NNPS is the first date of attendance, not registration.

Conditional Enrollment

If no records are available, the student will be referred to the Health Department or private medical provider to receive:

Grades: Shots:

Pre-K – 12th grade

1 DTP, TDAP, DT or Td
1 OPV or IPV, 1 MMR, 1 HEP B, 1 Varicella

Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grades Hep A
7th, 8th, 9th & 12 grades Meningococcal
Pre-K Only 1 Pneumococcal

By Virginia state law, students should not be enrolled without at least one dose of all required shots.

Updated 06/23
Download immunization and health requirements pdf.