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Immunization Requirements

Immunization Management at School

Ensuring that all students are up-to-date with their immunizations is crucial for maintaining a healthy school environment. Please visit the link below for information regarding Georgia’s immunization schedule and school requirements. 

DPH Vaccines and Immunizations

 

Laws and Regulations

 

Immunization Certificate Form 3231

Children attending any childcare facility, pre-kindergarten, Head Start program, nursery, or school must have Form 3231 on file. This includes public and private operations and all enterprises, educational programs, and institutions involved in the care, supervision, or instruction of children. Certificates are required for all children through grade 12. The certificate becomes invalid on the expiration date indicated. If a current certificate has not been submitted within 30 days of expiration, the child must be excluded from attendance until a current certificate is obtained.

 

Exemptions:

The Official Code of Georgia provides for only two types of exemptions from immunization requirements:

 

1. Medical: Medical exemption for a vaccine should be filled in only when there is a physical disability or condition that contraindicates immunization for that particular vaccine. There must be an annual review of medical exemptions, and certificates must be reissued with or without indication of exemption. O.C.G.A. §20-2-771(d).

 

2. Religious: For a child to be exempt from immunizations on religious grounds, the parent or guardian must furnish the school/facility with a notarized Affidavit of Religious Objection to Immunization (Form 2208) Chapter 511-2-2-.07 of the Rules of the Department of Public Health. The school/facility must keep the affidavit on file and available for inspection by health officials instead of the Georgia Immunization Certificate (Form 3231). The affidavit does not expire. O.C.G.A. §20-2-771(e)

 

If an epidemic or threat of epidemic is determined, please refer to the DPH Rules and Regulations for Schools and Childcare Facilities, Chapter 511-2-2.

 

7th Grade Immunization Requirements

In Georgia, all children born on or after January 1, 2002, who are attending seventh grade and children who are new entrants into a Georgia school in grades eight through twelve must have received one dose of the Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal conjugate MCV4 vaccine to fulfill immunization requirements.

 

11th Grade Immunization Requirements

Effective July 1, 2021, all students entering or transferring into 11th grade will need proof of a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4) unless their first dose was received on or after their 16th birthday. Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that affects the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can cause shock, coma, and death within hours of the first symptoms. To help protect your children and others from meningitis, Georgia law requires students to be vaccinated against this disease unless the child has an exemption.

 

Resources

Source: Georgia Department of Public Health


 

First page of the PDF file: Immunization_Schedule