All students entering Metro Public School system must have a Tennessee Department of Health Immunization Certificate. These may be obtained from the Metro Health Department or local pediatricians. Please call 615-340-5667 for more information.
The following immunizations will be required as of July 2010 (Tennessee Department of Health Rule Chapter 1200-14-1-.29):
Children entering Kindergarten
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- 4 doses required
- One dose must be given after the 4th birthday
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- 3 doses required
- Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)
- 4 doses required
- Final dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- 2 doses required
- Usually given together as MMR
- First dose must be given after 1st birthday, with at least 30 days between the first and second doses
- Varicella
- 2 doses required (or credible history of disease)
- First dose given after 1st birthday
- Hepatitis A
- 2 doses will be required starting on July 1, 2011
Children entering 7th grade
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (“Tdap”)
Children who are new enrollees in a TN school in grades other than K or 7th
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- 4 doses required
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- 3 doses required
- Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)
- Final dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- 2 doses of each
- Usually given together as MMR
- Varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease)
Children with medical or religious exemption to requirements
- Medical: Healthcare provider must indicate which specific vaccines are medically exempted (because of risk of harm) on the new form. Other vaccines remain required.
- Religious: Requires only a signed statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. If documentation of a health examination is required, it must be noted by the health care provider on the immunization certificate.
All children initially entering Metro schools must have a health examination.
Source: Tennessee Department of Health
Detailed official guidance, including the immunization schedule and the new Immunization Certificate, will be made available no later than April 1 online at Tennessee Immunization Information System
Detailed official guidance can also be found on the Tennessee Department of Health web site:
- Tennessee Department of Health Immunization Program
- Childcare Through 12th Grade Immunization Requirements
For additional information regarding immunization visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccines and Immunization page.