Ensure Their Health for the Upcoming School Year
Having your child vaccinated could mean safer, healthier communities. Families with 4, 11, and 16-year-old students should book an appointment for their child’s immunizations to avoid delays when school starts in August.
One of Virginia’s required immunizations is to protect people against MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella). As of February 27, 2025, 164 measles cases had been reported this year in other states, 95 percent of which were unvaccinated. As of March 20, 2025, three measles cases have been reported in Maryland residents with potential exposures in Virginia.
Another required immunization is for meningitis. Virginia just concluded a meningitis outbreak on February 25, 2025. New cases continue to emerge but remain below outbreak levels. LaWanda Dunn, RN, oversees nursing at the Virginia Department of Health’s Chesterfield Health District and works closely with school nursing leadership to ensure students have the required immunizations. The health district includes Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, and Powhatan. “We encourage all parents to have a conversation with a trusted medical provider and decide what is best for their children for school readiness.” Dunn said.
If someone does not have a trusted provider or health insurance, VDH has a list of providers who accept Medicaid or provide services for the uninsured.
What immunizations are state required?
The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that all children be immunized against certain diseases for admission to a public school (ref. Code of Virginia 22.1-271.2). Students who fail to comply with the required immunizations shall be excluded from school until they provide proof of an immunization schedule or waiver.
Preschoolers will need these immunizations before starting kindergarten:
DTap
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Hep B
Hep A
Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR)
Polio
6th-grade students will need these immunizations before starting 7th grade:
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
11th-grade students will need this immunization before starting 12th grade:
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
Where are immunizations available?
• Contact your healthcare professional to schedule an appointment for immunizations.
• Urgent care clinics: check to make sure they have all required immunizations.
• Pharmacies: check to see if a prescription is required.
• Chesterfield County Health District offers immunizations by appointment only for children ages 18 and younger. To schedule an appointment, call Chesterfield at 804-748-1750, Colonial Heights at 804-520-9380, or Powhatan at 804-598-5680.
• Bring your child’s immunization record and insurance card if applicable.
• When your child has received these immunizations, provide the records to your school nurse. For more information, visit vdh.virginia.gov/chesterfield.
While you’re at your healthcare provider, make sure your kids are screened for chronic conditions and obtain any sports physicals they may need. Don’t forget that students who intend on playing sports next school year and have registered with the Virginia High School League need a sports physical form filled out by their healthcare provider after May 1 of this year. Visit vhsl.org and click on Parents: VHSL Physical Form.
If your child is diagnosed with asthma, you should work with your provider to develop an asthma action plan and give a copy to the school nurse to keep on file.