Vaccination Information

August 2023: Back-to-School Vaccinations Required 

Put Vaccines on Your-Back-to-School List

To attend school, families are required to submit their student’s up-to-date immunization record by the first day of school. Vaccinations are critical for preventing disease and reducing the dangers that can come with being exposed to certain diseases.

You can find a list of required immunizations for your child according to their age by viewing this helpful flyer from DC Health.

If you have not already submitted your child’s immunization records to your school, here is what you need to do now:

• Make an appointment with your child’s doctor. DC offers resources to help you find a health provider if you do not have health insurance.

• Have the doctor complete DC’s Universal Health Certificate, available here. Your health provider may also provide a different proof of immunization document or an exemption explanation.

• Submit your immunization paperwork to your child’s school. You can drop it off at your school or call the school’s main office if you have questions about how to submit your form

Where to Obtain a Vaccine

The best place for DC families to access childhood immunizations is at their primary medical provider. If a family does not have a health care provider for their child or has difficulty securing an appointment before the first day of school, they can select one from a list of pediatric locations, located in every ward. There are DCPS School Based Health Centers to consider on that list, and mobile units that will visit schools through August and September.

For more information on obtaining immunizations by the first day of school, visit dcpsreopenstrong.com/vaccines.

The COVID-19 Vaccine

DC IMMUNIZATION ATTENDANCE POLICY

Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, the COVID-19 vaccine is required for school enrollment and attendance in the District of Columbia for all students who are of an age for which there is a COVID-19 vaccination fully approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of July 8, 2022, there is a fully approved COVID-19 vaccine for individuals age 12 and older.

All DC residents age 6 months and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For COVID-19 vaccine opportunities, visit vaccinate.dc.gov or call the COVID-19 Call Center at 1-855-363-0333. For deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals, dial 711 for TTY service. For any questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine program, please email vaccinatedc@dc.gov.

Email Updated Immunizations

Up-to-date immunizations are required for in-person attendance. Please submit immunization forms to the email TylerESEnroll@k12.dc.gov.