Hawai‘i State Department of Health

Hawaii Immunization Program
School Health Requirements Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of health requirements does Hawaii State Law require for school attendance?
What are the school health requirements?
Which vaccinations are required and how many shots does my child need?
Which of these immunizations are new requirements?
What is required by the first day of school?
Are exemptions from immunizations allowed?
What if I can’t afford shots for my children?
I’ve heard about Teen Vax. What is it?
What if my child is transferring from another state or territory of the U.S.?
Are children who repeat Kindergarten or 7th grade subject to the new entrance requirements?
If my child had chickenpox before, will he/she need to get the chickenpox shot?
Where can I get more information?

What kind of health requirements does Hawaii State Law require for school attendance?

Hawaii State Law requires all students to meet health examination and immunization requirements before they may attend any public or private school in the state. "School" is defined as any group child care home, day nursery, day care center, child care center, Head Start program, preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, or secondary school.

Post-secondary school, includes adult education school, business school, trade school, community college, college or university.

What are the school health requirements?

· Tuberculosis (TB) clearance must be completed within one year before first entrance into school in Hawaii and must be performed by the State of Hawaii Department of Health or by a U.S. licensed Physician, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), or Physician’s Assistant (PA). Infants who first attend school before age 12 months must submit a TB certificate to the school before they reach 14 months of age. The certificate of TB examination must include date of administration and reading and results in millimeters.

· Physical Examination must be completed within one year before first entrance into school in Hawaii and must be performed by a U.S. licensed Physician, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), or Physician’s Assistant (PA).

· Immunizations required for school attendance are DTaP/DTP/Td (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis), Polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Hepatitis B, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) for preschool attendance, and Varicella (chickenpox). All immunizations must meet minimum age and interval requirements between vaccine doses.

Which vaccinations are required and how many shots does my child need?

See the tables for the specific vaccines and number of doses required.

Which of these immunizations are new requirements?

Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine will now be required for entry into preschool, kindergarten, and 7th grade, and for all students entering the Hawaii school system for the first time, regardless of age, effective July 1, 2002.

What is required by the first day of school?

By the first day of school, all students entering school in Hawaii for the first time must have:

Results of a Tuberculosis examination, completed within one year before school entrance

AND

A completed health record form to prove that a physical examination was performed within one year before school entrance, and that all immunization requirements have been met

A signed statement or appointment slip from your child’s doctor to prove that your child has a physical examination scheduled and/or has begun the vaccination series and is waiting for the next dose in the series.

Students who have not completed these requirements by the first day of school will not be allowed to attend school until these requirements are met.

Are exemptions from immunizations allowed?

Children may be exempt from immunization requirements for medical or religious reasons, if the appropriate documentation is presented to the school. Religious exemption forms may be completed at the school that your child will attend. Medical exemptions must be obtained from your child’s doctor. No other exemptions are allowed by the State.

What if I can’t afford shots for my children?

Your child may qualify to receive vaccine at no charge through Vaccines for Children, a federally-funded program that provides vaccines to eligible children in Hawaii. There may be a charge from the provider to cover the cost of giving the shot. Call your doctor or the Hawaii Immunization Program at 586-8332 for more information and program eligibility requirements.

I’ve heard about Teen Vax. What is it?

The Teen Vax program provides children and teenagers (age 6-18 years) free or reduced cost shots regardless of insurance status. If you don’t qualify for Vaccines for Children, ask your doctor about Teen Vax.

What if my child is transferring from another state or territory of the U.S.?

You will need to show proof that the health requirements have been met prior to school entry. The school will accept out-of-state records that meet the State of Hawaii requirements for the physical examination, TB examination, and immunizations.

Are children who repeat Kindergarten or 7^th grade subject to the new entrance requirements?

Yes. All children entering Kindergarten and 7^th grade, including first time entrants and repeaters, are subject to these requirements.

If my child had chickenpox before, will he/she need to get the chickenpox shot?

A documented history of chickenpox (varicella), signed by a U.S. licensed Physician, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), or Physician’s Assistant (PA), may be substituted for the chickenpox vaccine requirement.

Where can I get more information?

Call your child’s doctor, school or the Department of Health, Hawaii Immunization Program at 586-8332. Neighbor islands call toll-free at 1-800-933-4832.

Hawaii Immunization Program
1250 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-8300