Student Medical Examinations

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.2 (l) each district board of education shall ensure that students receive health screenings.

• Screening for height, weight and blood pressure shall be conducted annually for each student in kindergarten through grade 12. 

• Screening for visual acuity shall be conducted biennially for students in kindergarten through grade 10.

• Screening for auditory acuity shall be conducted annually for students in kindergarten through grade three and in grades seven and 11. 

• Screening for scoliosis shall be conducted biennially for students between 10 and 18. The school district shall notify the parent of any student suspected of deviation from the recommended standard.

Immunization Requirements for School-Age Youth  School districts are required to annually review the immunization records of all students, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:162.2(a), and it is the responsibility of the certified school nurse to review all immunization records under N.J.A.C. 6A:162.3(b)3v.

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) provided additional information to schools through broadcast memos regarding enrollment considerations for immigrant students and enrollment of students displaced (homeless) by natural disasters.

Immunization Status Report  N.J.A.C. 8:57-4 requires all schools, including licensed childcare centers and preschools, to submit an Annual Immunization Status Report (IMM-7) to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), Vaccine Preventable Disease Program (VPDP) by January 1 of each academic year.  

Transfer Students

Transfer students, from another school in the state of New Jersey, are required to have up to date immunizations and documentation of a physical upon entry to a New Jersey school.  Students transferring from out-of-State or out-of-country must provide documentation of up to date immunizations and a current physical examination.  Students transferring from a country with high TB incidence are required to have a Mantoux Test (a skin test for tuberculosis) before entry to school.

Immunization Requirements

Students are required to have the following immunizations as mandated by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. A physician's statement showing the specific dates (i.e., month, day and year) of each vaccine must be provided.

• DTaP (Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis): A minimum of 5 doses of DTaP vaccine or proof of 4 DTaP immunizations, if a dose is given after the 4th birthday.

• Polio (Polio Vaccine): A minimum of 4 doses of polio vaccine or proof of 3 polio immunizations, if a dose is given after the 4th birthday.

• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella): 2 doses given after the 1st birthday and separated by an interval of at least one month.

• Varicella (Chicken Pox): One dose of varicella vaccine given on or after the first birthday or proof of disease immunity. Children that have documented laboratory evidence of previous varicella disease, a physician statement or a parent statement of previous varicella disease do not need to receive the varicella vaccine.

• Hepatitis B: 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine. The 3rd dose of Hepatitis B vaccine must have an interval of 16 weeks after the first dose (112 days), 8 weeks after the second dose (56 days) and 24 weeks after birth (168 days).

• Meningococcal: One dose for students entering sixth grade.

• Tdap (Tetanus and acellular pertussis): One dose for students entering sixth grade.

• Pneumococcal: Pre-school students are requried to have 1 dose of pneumoccocal vaccine given after the 1st birthday.

• Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B): Pre-school students are required to have 1 dose of Hib vaccine given after the 1st birthday.

Influenza: One annual dose for all pre-school students age 36 to 59 months given between September 1 and December 31.

A student may be exempted from mandatory immunizations if there is a medical exemption from a licensed physician or certified nurse practitioner.  A parent /guardian may request a religious exemption by submitting a written statement to the school which explains how the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with the pupil's exercise of religious tenets and practices.  

If a threatened or actual outbreak, as determined by the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services or his/her designee, all pupils with provisional, religious or medical exemptions (which relate to the specific disease threatening or occurring) shall be excluded for a specific period of time or until the outbreak is declared over.  If these pupils become immunized or produce serologic evidence of immunity to the specific disease they may be immediately readmitted to school.