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Vaccines (immunizations) protect what matters most — your child's health.

North Carolina law requires that all children must get certain vaccines. This helps protect themselves and others from getting sick.

When your child starts a child care program, the program will check to make sure they have all their needed vaccines. This includes child care centers and homes, religious child care centers, Head Start and Early Head Start, Pre-K programs and others.

Your child care program will ask you to submit a certificate of immunization filled out by your doctor or health care provider, or an exemption for medical or religious reasons.

Moving to a new child care program? You can ask your previous or current child care to send your child's immunization record at no cost to you.

For immunization reporting, visit Reporting for Childcare Facilities.

North Carolina requirements for young children

Tab/Accordion Items

By 3 months old, children must have the following vaccines:

VaccineProtects AgainstRequirement
Hepatitis BHepatitis B virus (liver infection)1 dose

Other vaccines are recommended at this age, but they are not required by law.

By 5 months old, children must have the following vaccines:

VaccineProtects AgainstRequirement
Hepatitis BHepatitis B virus (liver infection)2 doses
Polio/IPVPolio2 doses

Other vaccines are recommended at this age, but they are not required by law.

By 7 months old, children must have the following vaccines:

VaccineProtects AgainstRequirement
Hepatitis BHepatitis B virus (liver infection)2 doses
Polio/IPVPolio2 doses
DTaPDiphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”)3 doses
HibHaemophilus influenzae type b (meningitis, or brain infection)2-3 doses
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)Pneumococcal disease (meningitis, or brain infection, and pneumonia and blood infections)3 doses

Other vaccines are recommended at this age, but they are not required by law.

By 1 year old, children must have the following vaccines:

VaccineProtects AgainstRequirement
Hepatitis BHepatitis B virus (liver infection)2 doses
Polio/IPVPolio2 doses
DTaPDiphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”)3 doses
HibHaemophilus influenzae type b (meningitis, or brain infection)2-3 doses
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)Pneumococcal disease (meningitis, or brain infection, and pneumonia and blood infections)3 doses

Other vaccines are recommended at this age, but they are not required by law.

By 16 months old, children must have the following vaccines:

VaccineProtects AgainstRequirement
Hepatitis BHepatitis B virus (liver infection)2 doses
Polio/IPVPolio2 doses
DTaPDiphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”)3 doses
HibHaemophilus influenzae type b (meningitis, or brain infection)2-3 doses
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)Pneumococcal disease (meningitis, or brain infection, and pneumonia and blood infections)4 doses
MMRMeasles, mumps and rubella1 dose

Other vaccines are recommended at this age, but they are not required by law.

By 19 months old, children must have the following vaccines:

VaccineProtects AgainstRequirement
Hepatitis BHepatitis B virus (liver infection)3 doses
Polio/IPVPolio3 doses
DTaPDiphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”)4 doses
HibHaemophilus influenzae type b (meningitis, or brain infection)3-4 doses
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)Pneumococcal disease (meningitis, or brain infection, and pneumonia and blood infections)4 doses
MMRMeasles, mumps and rubella1 dose
VaricellaChickenpox1 dose

Other vaccines are recommended at this age, but they are not required by law.

If the child is entering kindergarten, they must follow the kindergarten requirements.

A child 4 years old or older must have the following vaccines:

VaccineProtects AgainstRequirement
Hepatitis BHepatitis B virus (liver infection)3 doses
Polio/IPVPolio3 doses
DTaPDiphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”)4 doses
HibHaemophilus influenzae type b (meningitis, or brain infection)3-4 doses
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)Pneumococcal disease (meningitis, or brain infection, and pneumonia and blood infections)4 doses
MMRMeasles, mumps and rubella1 dose
VaricellaChickenpox1 dose

Other vaccines are recommended at this age, but they are not required by law.

If your child is behind on their vaccines

If your child needs vaccines, see their doctor or health care provider. They can help you get caught up and write a note that will allow your child to stay in child care while catching up.

If you don't have a doctor, Vaccines for Children program locations have free vaccines for those who qualify.

Have questions about vaccines for your children?

As a parent, you want to make the best choices for your children. Doctors recommend vaccines because they protect your child from serious, preventable diseases. Many of these illnesses have no cure, so prevention is the best defense.

Vaccines are thoroughly tested, and serious side effects are extremely rare. Millions of children are safely vaccinated each year.

If you have questions, get real answers. Start a conversation with your doctor today.

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