Detailed Vaccine-Specific Requirements
The North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 130-A-152(a))
require immunizations for every child present in this state. Every
parent, guardian or person in loco parentis is responsible for
ensuring that their child(ren) receive required immunizations.
If you have specific questions regarding your child, please contact
your child's health care provider or your local health department.
North Carolina requires the following immunizations:
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis
Five doses. Three doses by age seven months and
two booster doses, one by age 19 months and the second dose on
or after the fourth birthday and before enrolling in school for
the first time. If the fourth dose was administered on or after
the fourth birthday, the fifth dose is not required.
Polio
Four doses. Two doses by age five months, a third
dose by 19 months of age and a booster dose before enrolling in
school for the first time. If the third dose was administered
on or after the fourth birthday, the fourth dose is not required.
Measles
Two doses. One dose on or after 12 months of age
and before 16 months of age and a second dose before enrolling
in school for the first time. As long as the doses are separated
by at least 28 days, the second dose may be given at any time
before beginning school. A person who has been diagnosed prior
to January 1, 1994 by a physician as having measles or an individual
who has documented laboratory results of a protective antibody
titer against measles is not required to receive vaccine. Lacking
such proof, vaccination is required.
Mumps
Two doses. One dose on or after 12 months of age and before 16
months of age and a second dose before enrolling in school for
the first time. A physician's diagnosis is not acceptable for
mumps disease(s). The person must be immunized or have documented
laboratory results of a protective antibody titer against the
specific disease.
Rubella
One dose on or after 12 months of age and before 16 months of
age. A physician's diagnosis is not acceptable for rubella disease(s).
The person must be immunized or have documented laboratory results
of a protective antibody titer against the specific disease.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Three doses of HbOC or two doses of PRP-OMP by age seven months
and a final dose of any type on or after age 12 months and by
age 16 months. Persons who receive the first dose of Hib on or
after 12 months of age and before 15 months of age are required
to have only two doses. Persons who received the first dose of
Hib vaccine on or after 15 months of age are required to have
only one dose. Persons who have passed their fifth birthday are
not required to be vaccinated against Hib.
Note - Due to the shortage of Hib vaccine caused
by manufacturing issues, the requirement for a booster dose of
Hib vaccine on or after the age of 12 months has been temporarily
suspended, until further notice. (1/18/08)
Hepatitis B
Three doses. One dose by age three months, second dose by age
five months and a third dose by age 19 months. Persons born on
or after July 1, 1994 are required to receive the hepatitis B
vaccine. The last dose of hepatitis B vaccine series shall not
be administered prior to 24 weeks of age.
Varicella
One dose. One dose of varicella vaccine - on or after
12 months of age and before age 19 months - is required
for children born on or after April 1, 2001. However, an individual
with laboratory tests showing immunity or a history of chickenpox
documented by a health care provider, parent, guardian or person
in loco parentis shall not be required to receive varicella vaccine.
Documentation of prior history of chickenpox disease must be on
or attached to the lifetime immunization card or certificate of
immunization. Ask your health care provider for more information.
Exemptions
There are two exemptions to required immunizations.
- Medical Exemptions
- An exemption is permitted for medical
reasons when a physician determines that an immunization is
or may be harmful to a student for a specific reason. Valid
medical exemptions must be written and signed by a physician
licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina. The medical
exemption must correspond to those medical contraindications
specified in the N.C. Immunization Rules or an approved Rules'
exception approved by the State Health Director. These physician
statements must be maintained in the student's permanent record
and at minimum must indicate the following - basis of the exemption;
specific vaccine(s) the child should not receive; and length
of time the exemption will apply for the child.
- Religious Exemptions - Parent(s),
guardian or person in loco parentis who have a bona fide religious
objection to immunization requirements must place a signed statement
on file in the student's permanent record. An objection based
upon a "scientific" belief (i.e. a foreign substance
or chemical may be harmful) or non-religious personal belief
or philosophy (i.e. clean living, fresh air, pure water) is
not considered to be a religious exemption and is not
allowed under North Carolina law.
A written statement must be maintained in the student's record
containing, at a minimum, the following - student's name; parent(s),
guardian's or person in loco parentis statement of bona fide
religious objection; and parent(s), guardian or person in loco
parentis signature and date signed. (If a student is at least
18 years old, his/her statement and signature are required.)
See also the Exemptions from Immunizations
page.
Parent's Responsibility
Parent, guardian or responsible person must present a certificate
of immunization on the child’s first day of attendance to
the child care facility. If a certificate of immunization is not
presented on the first day, the child care operator must present
a notice of deficiency to the parent, guardian or responsible
person. The parent, guardian or responsible person has 30 calendar
days from the first day of attendance to obtain the required immunizations.
Additional days, upon certification by a physician, may be allowed
to obtain the required immunizations if the approved intervals
require a period in excess of 30 calendar days. Upon termination
of 30 calendar days or the extended period, the child care operator
shall not permit the child to attend the child care facility unless
the required immunization has been obtained.
Child Care Operator's Responsibility
The child care facility maintains on file immunization records
for all children attending the child care facility, which contains
the information required for a certificate of immunization. When
a child transfers to another child care facility, the facility
where the child previously attended must, upon request, send a
copy of the child’s immunization record, at no charge, to
the child care facility or school to which the child has transferred.
The child care operator must complete and submit annually to the
N.C. Immunization Branch the Annual Child Care Immunization Report.
This report is due to the N.C. Immunization Branch on December
1st of each year.
Child Care Records
The parent, guardian or responsible person is responsible for
presenting and maintaining the certificate of immunization. If
a child care operator is unable to get the required immunization
information from the parent/guardian, that information can be
obtained by the operator from the physician or local health department.
This information is available to the child care operator, upon
request and without a written consent form.
See also the How to Find an Immunization
Record page.
|
