§ 23.83. Immunization requirements.

 (a)  Required for entry. The following immunizations are required for entry into school for the first time at the kindergarten or first grade level, at public, private or parochial schools in this Commonwealth, including special education and home education programs:

   (1)  Hepatitis B. Three properly-spaced doses of hepatitis B vaccine or a history of hepatitis B immunity proved by laboratory testing.

   (2)  Diphtheria. Four or more properly-spaced doses of diphtheria toxoid, which may be administered as a single antigen vaccine, in combination with tetanus toxoid or in combination with tetanus toxoid and pertussis vaccine. One dose shall be administered on or after the 4th birthday.

   (3)  Tetanus. Four or more properly-spaced doses of tetanus toxoid, which may be administered as a single antigen vaccine, in combination with diphtheria toxoid or in combination with diphtheria toxoid and pertussis vaccine. One dose shall be administered on or after the 4th birthday.

   (4)  Poliomyelitis. Three or more properly-spaced doses of any combination of oral polio vaccine or enhanced inactivated polio vaccine.

   (5)  Measles (rubeola). Two properly-spaced doses of live attenuated measles vaccine, the first dose administered at 12 months of age or older, or a history of measles immunity proved by serological evidence showing antibody to measles as determined by the hemagglutination inhibition test or a comparable test. Each dose of measles vaccine may be administered as a single antigen vaccine.

   (6)  German measles (rubella). One dose of live attenuated rubella vaccine, administered at 12 months of age or older or a history of rubella immunity proved by serological evidence showing antibody to rubella determined by the hemagglutination inhibition test or any comparable test. Rubella vaccine may be administered as a single antigen vaccine.

   (7)  Mumps. One dose of live attenuated mumps vaccine, administered at 12 months of age or older or a physician diagnosis of mumps disease indicated by a written record signed by the physician or the physician’s designee. Mumps vaccine may be administered as a single antigen vaccine.

   (8)  Chickenpox (varicella). One of the following:

     (i)   One dose of varicella vaccine, administered at 12 months of age or older.

     (ii)   A history of chickenpox immunity proved by laboratory testing or a written statement of history of chickenpox disease from a parent, guardian or physician.

 (b)  Required for attendance. The following immunizations are required as a condition of attendance at school in this Commonwealth if the child has not received the immunizations required for school entry listed in subsection (a).

   (1)  Diphtheria. Three or more properly spaced doses of diphtheria toxoid, which may be administered as a single antigen vaccine, in combination with tetanus toxoid or in combination with tetanus toxoid and pertussis vaccine.

   (2)  Tetanus. Three or more properly spaced doses of tetanus toxoid, which may be administered as a single antigen vaccine, in combination with diphtheria toxoid or in combination with diphtheria toxoid and pertussis vaccine.

   (3)  Poliomyelitis. Three or more properly spaced doses of either oral polio vaccine or enhanced inactivated polio vaccine. If a child received any doses of inactivated polio vaccine administered prior to 1988, a fourth dose of inactivated polio vaccine is required.

   (4)  Measles (rubeola). Two properly spaced doses of live attenuated measles vaccine, administered at 12 months of age or older or a history of measles immunity proved by serological evidence showing antibody to measles determined by the hemagglutination inhibition test or a comparable test. Each dose of measles vaccine may be administered as a single antigen vaccine.

   (5)  German measles (rubella). One dose of live attenuated rubella vaccine, administered at 12 months of age or older or a history of rubella immunity proved by serological evidence showing antibody to rubella determined by the hemagglutination inhibition test or any comparable test. Rubella vaccine may be administered as a single antigen vaccine.

   (6)  Mumps. One dose of live attenuated mumps vaccine, administered at 12 months of age or older or a physician diagnosis of mumps disease indicated by a written record signed by the physician or the physician’s designee. Mumps vaccine may be administered as a single antigen vaccine.

 (c)  Required for entry into 7th grade. In addition to the immunizations listed in subsection (b), the following immunizations are required at any public, private, parochial or vocational school in this Commonwealth, including special education and home education programs, as a condition of entry for students entering the 7th grade; or, in an ungraded class, for students in the school year that the student is 12 years of age:

   (1)  Hepatitis B. Three properly-spaced doses of hepatitis B vaccine or a history of hepatitis B immunity proved by laboratory testing.

   (2)  Chickenpox (varicella). One of the following:

     (i)   One dose of varicella vaccine, administered at 12 months of age or older.

     (ii)   Two properly-spaced doses of varicella vaccine for children 13 years of age and older.

     (iii)   A history of chickenpox immunity proved by laboratory testing, or a written statement of history of chickenpox disease from the parent, guardian, emancipated child or physician.

   The provisions of this §  23.83 amended through September 17, 1982, effective August 1, 1983, 12 Pa.B. 3288; amended August 22, 1997, effective August 23, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 4317; amended September 28, 2001, effective September 29, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 5525. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (232756) to (232758).

   This section cited in 28 Pa. Code §  23.85 (relating to responsibilities of schools and school administrators); and 28 Pa. Code §  27.77 (relating to immunization requirements for children in child care group settings).