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 kindergarten, 7th grade and 12th grade, their school will check to make sure they have their needed vaccines. This is true for all schools, including public, private and religious schools.
Your child's school will ask you to submit a “certification of immunization” filled out by your doctor or provider, or an exemption for medical or religious reasons.
Homeschooled children must also meet these requirements. Home schools are required to maintain records of immunizations by the NC Department of Administration (NC DOA) Division of Non-Public Education.
Immunizations For School-Age Children
When your child starts a child care program, the program will check to make sure they have all of their needed vaccines. This includes child care centers and homes, religious child card centers, Head Start and Early Head Start, Pre-K programs and others.
Some vaccines are required, and some are recommended. Both are listed here.
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Polio/IPV | Polio | Required (4 doses) |
| MMR | Measles, mumps and rubella | Required (2 doses) |
| DTaP | Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“whooping cough”) | Required (5 doses) |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b (meningitis, or brain infection) | Required (3-4 doses)* |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus (liver infection) | Required (3 doses) |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | Required (2 doses) |
| Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) | Pneumococcal disease (meningitis, or brain infection, and pneumonia and blood infections) | Required (4 doses)* |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A (liver infection) | Recommended |
| Influenza | Seasonal flu | Recommended |
* Children who have passed their 5th birthday are not required to receive Hib or pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
Related: Printed materials, flyers and resources for kindergarten vaccine requirements
Some vaccines are required, and some are recommended. Both are listed here.
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Students entering 7th grade must have had all of the vaccines required for kindergarten entry and: | ||
| Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) | Meningitis (brain infections) | Required (1 dose) |
| Tdap | Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (“whooping cough”) | Required (booster) |
| HPV | Human papillomavirus (linked to cervical and other cancer) | Recommended |
| Influenza | Seasonal flu | Recommended |
Related: Printed materials, flyers and resources for 7th grade vaccine requirements
Some vaccines are required, and some are recommended. Both are listed here.
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Students entering 12th grade must have had all of the vaccines required for kindergarten and 7th grade entry and: | ||
| Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) | Meningitis (brain infections) | Required (booster) |
| HPV | Human papillomavirus (linked to cervical and other cancer) | Recommended |
| Influenza | Seasonal flu | Recommended |
Related: Printed materials, flyers and resources for 12th grade vaccine requirements
Missing Vaccine Doses?
Talk with a health care provider about catching up.
If you don't have a doctor, Vaccines for Children program locations have free vaccines for those who qualify.
What to Say to Help Your Child Prepare
- “Vaccines help keep us safe.”
The vaccines teach your body how to fight off illness so you don't get really sick. We get vaccines so we can go to school and keep everyone safe, like our family and friends. - “You'll feel a little pinch.”
When you get it, it will feel like a quick pinch on your arm or leg, and then it will be over. It will feel better quickly, and I'll be here with you. You'll get a Band-Aid, and we might wait a little bit while before we leave. - “You might feel a little sore or tired later.”
Later on, or maybe the next day, you might feel tired or like you have a cold. That's the vaccine working, and your body is learning how to protect you. Tell us how you're feeling. If you feel really bad, we'll call the doctor.
Advice on coping with the fear and pain of needles (American Academy or Pediatrics)
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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This page was last modified on 07/02/2025