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KANSAS SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 2 0 2 6 - 2 0 2 7 SCHOOL YEAR
Immunization requirements and recommendations for the 2026-2027 school year are based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommendations, including the current recommended and minimum interval immunization schedules and the catch-up schedule if a child falls behind. To avoid missed opportunities, immunization providers may use a four-day grace period, in most instances, per age and interval between doses. In such cases, these doses may be counted as valid.
K.S.A. 72 - 6261 et seq. and K.A.R. 28-1-20 specify the immunizations required for school and early childhood program attendance. Vaccines continue to be a safe and effective tool for preventing serious infectious diseases, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment encourages anyone with questions to talk to their healthcare provider.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap): Five doses required. Doses should be given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). The fourth dose may be given as early as 12 months of age, if at least 6 months have elapsed since dose 3. The fifth dose is not necessary if the fourth dose was administered at age 4 years or older. A dose of Tdap is required at entry to seventh grade (11 to 12 years).
- Hepatitis A (Hep A): Two doses required. Doses should be given at 12 to 23 months with a minimum interval of 6 months between the first and second dose.
- Hepatitis B (Hep B): Three doses required. Doses should be given at birth, 1 to 2 months, and 6 to 18 months. Minimum age for the final dose is 24 weeks.
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Two doses required. Doses should be given at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). Minimum age is 12 months and interval between doses may be as short as 28 days.
- Meningococcal-Serogroup A,C,W,Y (MenACWY): Two doses required. Doses should be given at entry to seventh grade (11 to 12 years) and eleventh grade (16 to 18 years). Eleventh graders who are not yet 16 years of age should wait to receive the dose until they are 16 years of age. For children 16 to 18 years, with no previous MenACWY, only one dose is required.
- Poliomyelitis (IPV/tOPV): Four doses required. Doses should be given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). Three doses are acceptable if third dose was given after 4 years of age and at least 6 months have elapsed since dose 2.
- Varicella (Chickenpox): Two doses are required. Doses should be given at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). The second dose may be administered as early as 3 months after the first dose; however, a dose administered after a four-week interval is considered valid. No doses are required when student has history of varicella disease documented by a licensed physician.
Legal alternatives to school vaccination requirements are found in K.S.A. 72-6262. In addition to the immunizations required for school entry, the following vaccines are recommended:
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Two doses recommended at 9 to 12 years of age or three doses if the series is started after 15 years.
- Influenza: Annual vaccination recommended for all ages > 6 months of age.
Vaccination efforts by school and public health officials, immunization providers, and parents are key to the success of protecting our children and communities from vaccine preventable diseases. Thank you for your dedication. Revision 1/2026
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