School Immunization FAQ & Resources for School Staff

Visit CDPH's IZ Branch: Shots for School for school immunization requirements, reporting, guidance, trainings, and updates.

Updates:

• The deadline for school immunization reporting for the 2024-2025 school year is on December 13, 2024  on the school reporting website CAIR Hub.

• Recent reports of measles cases around the country remind us about the importance of vaccination, which provides protection against serious illness.  Learn more at CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks.

• Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles starts with a cough, runny nose, red eyes, and fever. Then a rash of red spots breaks out. 

When Is The School Immunization Reporting Deadline For The 2024-2025 School Year?

• The deadline for the annual immunization assessment report (s) is on December 13, 2024  on the school reporting website CAIR Hub.

• Visit the school immunization reporting website CAIR Hub.

• Visit CDPH's Immunization Reporting page for resources and guidance.

Who Needs To Submit The Annual Immunization Assessment Report On The School Reporting Site?

• All California schools, public and private, with grades TK/Kindergarten or 7th and pre-kindergarten (child care/preschool) facilities are required to assess and annually report the immunization status of their enrollees on CAIR Hub.

• Learn more about CDPH's Immunization Reporting FAQ.

 Where Can I Find More Information About Immunization Requirements? 

•  It’s important to note from the California Immunization Handbook (IMM-365) on page 16 that: “If a child has NOT received all immunization doses which are currently due, the child must NOT be admitted until all doses currently due are received and documentation is provided.  If a child has not received any dose of a required vaccine, a first dose MUST be received prior to admission. ”

• Learn more about California Code of Regulations Title 17, Division 1, Chapter 4.

• For FAQS and resources on admission requirements, visit CDPH's Requirements FAQs page.

Where Can I Find More Resources On Immunization Requirements And Catch-Up Immunization Schedule?

• For resources to help implement immunization requirements at your child care facility or school, visit CDPH's Implementation Tools page.

• For resources on Catch-up Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Who Start Late or Who Are More than 1 Month Behind, visit CDC's Vaccine Catch-Up Guidance page.

• Please see the supporting documents below for more information.

Where Can I Find More Information About Ukrainian Immunization Records?

• Check out CDPH's PDF guide on: Assessing Ukrainian IZ records (IMM-1470 8/30)

Where Can I Find Immunization Law Trainings For Childcare And TK-12th Grade Staff?

• Check out CDPH's  Training​​ for Child Care Staff which includes interactive modules are designed to support your efforts in implementing school immunization requirements.

• Check out CDPH's  Immunization Law Training for School Staff (TK–12th Grade) which includes interactive modules are designed to support your efforts in implementing school immunization requirements.

• Each module has different learning objectives.

What Are Schools Required To Do For The Assembly Bill No. 659 Cancer Prevention Act? 

• Effective January 1, 2024, the Cancer Prevention Act requires that every public and private school notify 6th grade students and their parents/guardians that they are advised to follow current human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization guidelines before starting 8th grade. 

• Schools can use this Template Letter to Parents (WORD DOC) and supplemental Robocall Script​ (PDF) to assist in implementation of the Cancer Prevention Act.

• See changes to the Health and Safety Code and Education Code for more information.

What Are Medical Exemptions (MEs)?

• Beginning January 1, 2021 all new medical exemptions for school and child care entry must be issued through CAIR-ME.

• Medical exemptions can only be issued by MDs or DOs licensed in California and must meet applicable Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) criteria. 

• Parents/guardians can create an account on the website CAIR-ME and apply for an exemption. They will then receive an exemption application number to give to their child’s physician, which will then be reviewed by a state panel.

• For more information about how the parent/guardian can request a Medical Exemption, check out Instructions to Request a Medical Exemption.

• To learn about how you can verify a medical exemption, check out CDPH's Verifying a Medical Exemption: Guide for School Staff.

• Learn more about Medical Exemption FAQs.

• Check out CDPH's Immunization Law Training for School Staff (TK–12th Grade) module 9 on  How to Process Medical Exemptions.

What Are Personal Belief Exemptions?

• The law (Senate Bill No. 277)  requires children to be immunized by the first day of school and eliminates the option for personal belief exemptions (PBE) since January 01, 2016.  

• Learn more about Personal Beliefs FAQs.