Immunization Information for Child Care and School Providers

In This Section:

Vermont's School Entry Immunization Rule sets minimum immunization requirements for attendance at regulated child care programs, public and independent K-12 schools and colleges to protect students, staff and visitors against vaccine-preventable diseases.

See the Immunization Data

If you have questions about immunizations for children in child care, preschool, school, and college, contact the Immunization Program at [email protected] or 802-863-7638.

Child Care, School, & College Immunization Requirements

Which vaccines are required for children and students enrolled in child care, preschool, and school?

For children and teens: Vermont recommended vaccines for children and teens
For children in child care and preschool: Vaccines required for children in child care and preschool You can also view this information in नेपाली (Nepali) and español (Spanish)
For K-12 schools hosting international students, refer to the memo: Student Immunizations for International Students

Where can I find resources to share with parents of children in child care, K-12, and college about vaccines requirements?

Brochure for parents for children in child care: A Parent’s Guide to Immunizations Required for Child Care
A memo to give to parents of children entering kindergarten or any new enterer: Immunization Entry Requirements
A memo to give to parents of students prior to 7^th grade: Vaccines for Your Preteen
A memo to give to parents of students prior to college entry: Immunization Entry Requirements for Full-time Undergraduate Students

This form is used when varicella vaccine is not needed due to a history of chickenpox disease.

For a child with a history of chickenpox disease, two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine are not required. The child does not need to claim exemption, either. A parent should submit a signed Documentation of Varicella (Chickenpox) Disease Form to the child care program, school, or college. The signature of a health care practitioner is not needed. A parent can submit other documentation, such as a signed statement or notation in an Immunization Registry or other health record, instead of this form.

In Vermont, exemptions from vaccination requirements are allowed for religious or medical reasons.

Religious Immunization Exemption, Child Care and Schools:

The Religious Immunization Exemption Form must be signed by the parent annually.
The Parent Education Required for Completion of Vermont's Religious Exemption Form must be reviewed by the parent.

Medical Immunization Exemption, Child Care and Schools:

The Medical Immunization Exemption Form (Child Care and Schools) must be filled out by the health care provider.

College Religious and Medical Exemption:

Immunization Exemption Form (College)

Checking Individual Children’s Immunization Records for Compliance

Where can I get help determining whether a child’s vaccination record meets state requirements?

The Vermont Immunization Registry (IMR) is a secure health information system that contains immunization records for persons living in Vermont. School nurses, providers, and administrators may have access to the IMR. To learn more about the registry, apply for an account, or for help using the registry, check out the Immunization Registry web page. New, see Immunization Reporting Made Easier for Child Care Providers

A quick guide for using the registry is available for both school nurses and for licensed or registered child care providers.

You may also refer to this tool, Assessing Immunization Records, which was developed for school nurses or administrators to assess a child’s vaccination record for compliance.

The California Immunization Branch has developed a chart that is helpful in identifying Vaccine Acronyms & Abbreviations.

How do I proceed when a child’s immunization record is missing or doesn’t meet requirements?

These flowcharts can be used to determine what steps should be taken when a child’s immunization record is missing or doesn’t meet state requirements. If a child’s immunization record is not compliant, the child can be admitted if they have scheduled an appointment to catch up. The catch-up period must be consistent with CDC and must not exceed six months. This scenario is called “provisional admittance.”

Child care: Flow Chart for Child Care Programs: Meeting Vermont's Immunization Rule
K-12: Flow Chart for K-12: Meeting Vermont's Immunization Rule

These forms/letters offer more information about provisional admittance and exemptions.

Provisional admittance: Information about Catching up with Missing Immunizations
Exemptions: Information about Child Care and School Immunization Exemptions

These forms may be used to notify parents that immunizations are missing, or that exclusion from child care or school may occur.

Read the legislative rule that establishes child care and school immunizations schedule and requirements.

Read the Vermont Immunization Rule.

Checklists & Worksheets for Programs & Schools

Checklists and worksheets are available for programs and schools without an electronic immunization database.

These forms are for optional use for programs and schools without an electronic immunization database.

REPORTING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Immunizations must be reported annually to the Health Department.

Regulated child care programs, K-12 schools, and colleges will receive an email in late fall with a link to complete the annual immunization status report.
Child care providers (including licensed pre-school): Immunization Reporting Made Easier for Child Care Providers
Refer to this list of frequently asked questions from child care providers about vaccination requirements and reporting.
For school nurses required roles and responsibilities, refer to Immunizations (Chapter 18) of the Standards of Practice: School Health Services Manual.