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
By 3 months old, children must have the following vaccines:
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis 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:
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus (liver infection) | 2 doses |
| Polio/IPV | Polio | 2 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:
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus (liver infection) | 2 doses |
| Polio/IPV | Polio | 2 doses |
| DTaP | Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”) | 3 doses |
| Hib | Haemophilus 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:
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus (liver infection) | 2 doses |
| Polio/IPV | Polio | 2 doses |
| DTaP | Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”) | 3 doses |
| Hib | Haemophilus 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:
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus (liver infection) | 2 doses |
| Polio/IPV | Polio | 2 doses |
| DTaP | Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”) | 3 doses |
| Hib | Haemophilus 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 |
| MMR | Measles, mumps and rubella | 1 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:
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus (liver infection) | 3 doses |
| Polio/IPV | Polio | 3 doses |
| DTaP | Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”) | 4 doses |
| Hib | Haemophilus 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 |
| MMR | Measles, mumps and rubella | 1 dose |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 1 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:
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus (liver infection) | 3 doses |
| Polio/IPV | Polio | 3 doses |
| DTaP | Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”) | 4 doses |
| Hib | Haemophilus 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 |
| MMR | Measles, mumps and rubella | 1 dose |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 1 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.
Resources
- Flyers and resources for child care providers
- North Carolina rules and laws including an explanation of parent responsibility, child care operator responsibility and child care record sharing
- Vaccine safety
- Your immunization record