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Student Immunizations

Immunization Requirements for Grades 7 and 12

The State of Iowa requires students entering grades 7 and 12 to provide proof of certain immunizations before the first day of school (Aug. 23, 2024). Students entering grades 7 and 12 in fall 2024 must submit a complete Certificate of Immunization with the meningococcal vaccine. Students entering grade 7 must also show documentation of the Tdap vaccine.

Which immunizations are required?

  • All students entering seventh grade in 2024-25 and born after Sept. 15, 2004, are required to provide vaccine documentation of having received the meningococcal vaccine on or after 10 years of age and a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine after age 7 OR an Iowa Certificate of Immunization Exemption.
  • All students entering or transferring into 12th grade and born after Sept. 15, 1999, will need to provide vaccine documentation of at least one dose of meningococcal vaccine after the age of 16 OR an Iowa Certificate of Immunization Exemption.

What does this mean for you?

Students who do not receive the vaccine booster OR provide an Iowa Certificate of Immunization Exemption by the first day of the 2024-25 school year will be excluded from school. There is no grace/extension period for the implementation of these requirements. 

Please contact your health care provider as soon as possible to complete this requirement mandated by the State of Iowa. Immunizations are also available by appointment at the Polk County Health Department, 1907 Carpenter Ave., Des Moines. Please call 515-286-3798 to make an appointment.
 

What about provisional certificates?

Students new to Iowa may be on a different schedule for vaccination requirements. This means they may be on a Provisional Certificate for an extended period of time so they can attend school. During summer 2024, provisional certificates will expire, which means WDMCS cannot allow them to return to school without immunizations when school begins in the fall. 

If your child has a provisional immunization certificate, watch for a letter from the school nurse In May. The letter will include information about when your child will be excluded from school without proof of immunization and the immunizations that are required.