IMMUNIZATIONS & SCHOOLCARE

Based on state law and MSCS policy, all students must have all required immunizations and physicals in order to attend an MSCS school. Students who do not have all of their required immunizations will not be allowed to enroll until proof of immunizations can be shown. Exemptions may be approved, such as for religious or medical reasons, but parents must have proper documentation on file at their child’s school. View a list of required immunizations at the bottom of this page.

DOES YOUR CHILD NEED IMMUNIZATIONS? You may visit a personal physician or make an appointment at one of our three student health clinics operated by Christ Community Health Services. Call (901) 842-2379 or Text “SCS901” to 91999 for appointments M-F.

TN HEALTH CERTIFICATES: A TN Department of Health Certificate of Immunizations is required as part of registration for all Kindergarteners, seventh graders and students who are new to MSCS. TN Department of Health Certificates are available from private physicians and the Memphis-Shelby County Health Department. The certificate must be filled out by a medical provider showing all required immunizations. Click here for a sample certificate. Be sure to bring a copy of your child’s completed health certificate to school and keep a copy for your records.

PHYSICALS: Physicals are required for students who are new to Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Students entering Pre-K or Kindergarten must have an up to date physical (completed within the last 12 months). If a Pre-K or Kindergarten student has received a physical within the last 12 months, he or she is not required to complete an additional physical.

View Additional Immunization FAQs (English) Vea Preguntas Frecuentes Adicionales sobre Inmunización (Español)

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SchoolCare is the District’s new, easy-to-use online system for viewing, accessing and updating important student health information for your child. Please sign up for your SchoolCare account to start tracking your child’s important school health info. LEARN MORE.

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IMMUNIZATIONS BY GRADE LEVEL

• Vaccinations required for children enrolling in childcare facilities, pre-school, pre-Kindergarten:

  *Vaccinations must be up to date at the time of enrollment. An updated health certificate is also required after completing all of the necessary vaccines.

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (1 dose of each, normally 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) (July 1, 2010)
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – age younger than 5 years only (July 1, 2010)
  • Hepatitis A – 1 dose, required by 18 months of age or older (July 1, 2010)
• Children enrolling in Kindergarten:
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
  • Hepatitis B (HBV)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after the 4th birthday
  • Varicella (2 doses or history of disease) (July 1, 2010)
  • Hepatitis A: total of 2 doses, spaced at least 6 months apart (July 1, 2011)
• All children entering 7th grade (including currently enrolled students):
  • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster ("Tdap"): proof of one dose any time before 7th grade entry required (2013)
• Children who are new enrollees in a TN school in grades other than Kindergarten or 7th:
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate) 
    
  • Hepatitis B (HBV) 
    
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR) 
    
  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV): final dose on or after the 4th birthday  
    
  • Varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease)
  • Hepatitis B (HBV): (required for Kindergarten and 7th grade entry)
  • Tdap: (required only for 7th grade entry)
• Children with medical or religious exemption to requirements:
  • Medical: Physician or Public Health Nurse authorized to indicate on the form specific vaccines medically exempted (because of risk of harm). Other remaining vaccines are required. The medical reason for the exemption does not need to be provided.
  • Religious: This exemption requires a signed statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. If the child needs documentation of a health examination for the school, it must be noted by the healthcare provider on the immunization certificate. In that case, the provider should check the box indicating that the parent has sought a religious exemption to explain why immunization information is absent or incomplete.