What vaccines are required for Kansas students? Here’s the list, and where to get shots
Back-to-school time is approaching for Kansas families, which means parents are starting to get everything together before the first day.
Part of the preparations include getting their children vaccinated.
Students across the state are required to receive certain immunizations before they can go to a public or private school in person. Public health officials say it is one of the best tools to prevent the spread of disease.
“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,” the Kansas Department of Health said on its website.
Here’s what you need to know about what vaccines are required in Kansas, if you can exempt your child and where to book a vaccination appointment.
What vaccines are required for students in Kansas schools?
Kansas requires these immunizations before your child goes to school in the state:
Five diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccinations, but the fifth dose isn’t required if your child received one at the age of 4 or older. One more dose of the DTAP vaccine will be required when the child enters the seventh grade.
Four poliomyelitis (IPV/OPV) vaccines that help prevent polio. The fourth dose isn’t required if your child received one after they turned 4 years old and at least six months have passed since they got the second dose.
Two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine and three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine, all of which must be obtained before they start kindergarten.
Two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines before they start kindergarten.
Two varicella vaccines prior to starting kindergarten. The vaccine protects against chickenpox.
Two doses of the meningococcal-serogroup A,C,W,Y (MenACWY). One dose is required for 11 and 12-year-old students entering the seventh grade and another for 16 to 18-year-olds entering the 11th grade. If a 16 or 18-year-old child has no previous record of this vaccine, only one dose is required.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends that students get vaccinated against COVID-19, HPV and the flu, but they are not required to before going to school.
The vaccine requirements apply to all schools, public and private.
How can I get my child’s immunization records?
You can call your health provider to receive a copy of your child’s immunization records if you’re unsure they’re up to date.
Kansans can also request their records through the Kansas Department of Health by completing an online form and emailing it to KDHE.ImmunizationRegistry@ks.gov or printing the form and mailing it to 1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 210, in Topeka with a copy of your photo ID. It’s free to make an immunization records request.
Can my child be exempt from vaccines?
Kansas recognizes religious and medical exemptions for parents who don’t want to vaccinate their kids.
There’s no statewide religious exemption form in Kansas. Instead, it’s up to individual school districts to provide an official form or require a written statement signed by a parent or guardian.
“A parent would send a letter to the school stating that they are an adherent of a religion that is opposed to vaccinations and that signed record will be kept with the school,” Johnson County Immunization Program Manager Ranae Allen told The Star in 2023.
To get a medical exemption, you’ll have to get a written statement signed by a licensed doctor stating that the required vaccines would seriously endanger the life or health of the student.
You need to mark what vaccine your child is being exempt from, and the doctor will sign it on the Kansas form.
Where can I take my child to get vaccinated?
Your health care provider will be able to provide vaccinations for your child, as can your local health department. The Kansas Department of Health partners with local health departments to administer vaccines through the Kansas Immunization Program.
Contact your local health department to book an appointment, or visit a walk-in clinic, like the one hosted by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. School districts such as Wichita Public Schools also offer vaccine appointments in the lead-up to back to school.
