Kids Going Back to School? Find Out All You Need to Know About Vaccines

Vaccination is essential to keep children healthy and meet school requirements

August 1, 2025

As children prepare to return to classrooms across North Carolina this fall, parents face a flood of forms and deadlines. Among the most important paperwork are immunization records and vaccine consent forms. Ensuring your child is up to date on required and recommended vaccines not only protects their health but is also mandatory for school and day care entry in our state. Below is a comprehensive guide to what you need to know about childhood vaccines, state requirements, best practices and North Carolina resources.

Why routine vaccination matters

Vaccines remain one of the most successful public health tools ever developed. They train the immune system to recognize and fight dangerous pathogens without causing illness. Widespread immunization has reduced or eliminated diseases that once sickened or killed thousands of children each year in the United States. Measles, mumps and rubella rates are at historic lows. Polio is eradicated in this country. Whooping cough is under control compared to the early 20th century. Maintaining high vaccine coverage prevents outbreaks and protects children who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

North Carolina school entry requirements

Under North Carolina law (G.S. 130A-152), children must show proof of specific immunizations before enrolling in public or private schools, preschool programs and child care centers. Schools or day care facilities cannot admit a child without an up-to-date Certificate of Immunization (Form DHHS 2208). The required vaccines for entry include:

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) – Five doses of DTaP before age seven; a Tdap booster at age 11–12.
Polio (IPV) – Four doses, with at least one dose received on or after age four.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Two doses, first at 12–15 months and second at four to six years.
Hepatitis B – Three doses by six months of age.
Varicella (Chickenpox) – Two doses, first at 12–15 months and second at four to six years, or documented history of disease by a provider.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) – Required for preschool and child care under age five.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) – Required for preschool and child care under age five.

Middle and high school students also need additional immunizations:

Tdap booster – Before 7th grade entry.
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) – One dose at age 11–12; booster at age 16.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – Two or three doses depending on age at initiation; strongly recommended but not required by state law, though most pediatricians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccination at age 11–12 to prevent future cancers.

Exemptions and waivers

North Carolina allows medical and religious exemptions but not philosophical ones. To claim a medical exemption, a licensed physician must certify that a vaccine is contraindicated for an individual child. For religious exemptions, parents must submit a notarized statement that immunization conflicts with their bona fide religious beliefs. Schools track exemptions and report coverage rates to the Department of Health and Human Services. High exemption rates in a school or county can raise the risk of outbreaks.

Review vaccine information sheets

Federal law requires healthcare providers to give Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) before each dose. VIS explain the disease prevented, benefits and risks of the vaccine, common side effects, and instructions for reporting adverse events. Parents should read these sheets carefully and save them for reference. They are available online in multiple languages at the CDC website.

Discuss concerns with your healthcare provider

It is normal to have questions about vaccine safety and schedules. Pediatricians and family physicians can address specific medical concerns, such as allergies or immune system disorders. They will ask about your child’s health history and review any prior reactions. If your child has egg allergies, certain influenza vaccines are contraindicated or require special administration. Parents of children with weakened immune systems should follow provider guidance on which vaccines to delay or avoid. Honest, open conversations help build trust and ensure children receive the right vaccines at the right times.

Keep accurate records

Maintain a personal immunization log in addition to the official Certificate of Immunization. Include dates and vaccine lot numbers when possible. If you move or change schools, having a complete record speeds up admissions. Many parents use smartphone apps to scan and store VIS and certificate images. Local health departments can provide replacement immunization records if documents are lost.

Report adverse events promptly

After vaccination, minor side effects, pain at the injection site, low-grade fever or fussiness—are common and resolve in a day or two. Serious reactions are rare but must be reported. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is co-managed by the FDA and CDC and accepts reports from providers and parents. Filing a VAERS report helps public health agencies detect any safety signals and investigate. Always contact your healthcare provider immediately if your child experiences high fever, difficulty breathing or seizures after a vaccine.

Timing and scheduling

Most children follow the recommended schedule set by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The recommended timeline ensures optimal protection at each age. Delaying vaccines leaves children vulnerable to serious illnesses. If you have fallen behind, speak with your provider about catch-up schedules. Shortening intervals between doses within ACIP guidelines is allowed to complete series before school entry deadlines.

Where to get vaccines in North Carolina

Pediatric and family clinics – Most primary care offices stock routine vaccines and schedule well-child visits.
Local health departments – Offer free or low-cost vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program for uninsured or underinsured children.
Pharmacies – Many chain pharmacies provide adolescent and adult vaccines; parent-supervised teens 14+ can receive some immunizations without a prescription.
School-based clinics – Some school districts partner with health providers to host vaccination events on campus before the school year.

North Carolina resources

NC Division of Public Health, Immunization Branch: official school requirements, vaccine schedules and clinic locators at immunize.nc.gov.
Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program: free vaccines for eligible children through local health departments, find enrollment info at vfcproviders.ncpublichealth.info.
NC School Health Program: guidance for school nurses and administrators on immunization tracking and outbreak response at publichealth.nc.gov.
NC Office of School Health: resources for parents on health requirements and forms for K-12 entry at your local school district website.
CDC Parent Portal: national vaccine schedules and VIS downloads at cdc.gov/vaccines/parents.

Completing recommended immunizations before the first day of school is one of the simplest ways to protect your child and classmates from serious, preventable diseases. Review your records today, schedule any missing shots and submit your Certificate of Immunization to the school nurse. By staying informed and proactive, North Carolina families can ensure a healthy, worry-free start to the new school year.