Step-by-Step Guide for Childcare and School Staff Verifying Required Immunizations

Step 1

Use the Parents' Guide to Immunizations handout* (childcare or TK/K-12) to notify parents of California vaccine requirements. This handout can be given to parents and guardians as a resource to remind them of which vaccines are needed by age or grade.

• Childcare: Parents' Guide to Immunizations Required for Pre-Kindergarten (Childcare)
  
  
• TK/K-12: Parents' Guide to Immunizations Required for School Entry (TK/K-12)

*Visit our Parent and Guardian School Vaccine Resources web page for Parent Guides in additional languages and more parent-friendly resources for school vaccine requirements 

Step 2

Ask parents/guardians to provide a copy of the child's Immunization Record (Yellow Card).** Use the immunization record to complete the California Pre-Kindergarten and School Immunization Record (Blue Card) listed below in Step 3. It is important to remember that additional vaccines may be required for continued attendance.

Parents may also submit medical exemption (e.g., CAIR-ME) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents for review. 

**Tips for finding immunization records can be found on our Parents and Guardians School Vaccine Resources web page.

Step 3

Use the child's/student's immunization record to transcribe/document the dates for each vaccine received onto the California Pre-Kindergarten and School Immunization Record Card (Blue Card). A blue card needs to be completed for each child/student at your site. Refer to the back of the blue card for detailed directions.

• California School Immunization Records (Blue Cards) can be requested through our Immunization Materials web page or by e-mailing us at IZinfo.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Step 4

Use the California School Immunization Requirements Guide (Pre-Kindergarten/Childcare OR TK/K-12 as appropriate) to compare the dates and doses of vaccines noted on the Blue Card to determine if the child/student meets the California immunization requirements.

*In limited circumstances, some children who have not received one or more required immunizations may attend child care or school conditionally while they watch up on these immunizations. 

• Childcare: Childcare Provider Guide for California Immunization Requirements for Pre-Kindergarten (Childcare) 
  
  
• TK/K-12: School Staff Guide for California Immunization Requirements for Grades TK/K-12)

Step 5 

If immunization requirements are not met, the student cannot be admitted or attend child care or school.  Inform parents/guardians of missing vaccines or documentation and refer them to their child's healthcare provider. 

The following Letter to Parents/Guardians: Immunizations Needed Template can also be filled out and given to parents/guardians to let them know which immunizations/doses their child needs.

Step 6

Keep a completed Blue Card on file for every child/student enrolled at your site, including students who are home-schooled, participating in independent study, or with an IEP status.

Step 7

Admit only children who:

• Have received all required immunizations, have a valid/active IEP, or are enrolled in either an independent study or a home-based private school.
• Are too young to receive required immunizations or are not currently due for any immunizations but will require doses at a later date. (See the California Conditional Admissions FAQs for more information.); or
• Have received a medical exception and submitted documentation of a valid medical exemption for required immunization(s).  Learn more about medical exemptions.

Make a note to follow up on children who were not due for any immunizations/doses when admitted (conditionally admitted) but have pending doses due later.

Step 8

Submit Immunization Assessment Reports every year in the fall to CDPH's Shots for Schools

• Instructions for Childcare Report
• Instructions for TK/K Report
• Instructions for 7th Grade Report

To learn more about annual immunization reporting, visit the San Diego Schools and Pre-Kindergarten Training Website