South Dakota Codified Law 13-28-7.1 (Rev. 2016) requires that any pupil entering school or an early childhood program in this state shall, prior to admission, be required to present to school authorities certification from a licensed physician that the child has received, or is in the process of receiving, adequate immunization against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, rubeola (measles), rubella, mumps, tetanus, meningitis and varicella (chickenpox), according to the recommendations of the State Department of Health.
This law applies to ALL children entering a South Dakota school district for the first time. This would include children in early intervention programs, preschool, as well as kindergarten through twelfth grade. Children under four need to be age appropriately immunized.
Minimum immunization requirements for kindergarten through twelfth grade are defined as receiving at least:
1.
Four or more doses of diphtheria, pertussis and
tetanus containing vaccine, with at least one dose administered on
or after age 4. Children 7 years or older needing the primary series only need
three doses. Children receiving six doses before age 4 do not require any
additional doses for kindergarten entry. The maximum a child should receive is
six doses. If a child 7 years or older has an incomplete DTaP primary series,
please contact the Department of Health for assistance.
2.
Four or more doses of poliovirus vaccine,
at least one dose on or after age 4. (Although not the recommended
schedule - If a child has three doses of polio with the third dose administered
on or after the age of 4 and at least 6 months after the second dose, no other
doses are required.)
3. Two doses of a measles, mumps, and rubella
vaccine (MMR or MMRV). Minimum age for the first dose is 12 months.
Administer the second dose routinely at age 4 through 6 years. The second dose
may be administered prior to age 4 provided at least 28 days have elapsed since
the first dose.
4. Two doses of varicella vaccine (Varicella or
MMRV). The minimum age for the first dose of varicella (chickenpox)
vaccine is 12 months. History of disease is acceptable with parent/guardian
signature. Administer the second dose routinely at age 4 through 6 years. The
second dose may be administered prior to age 4 provided the minimum interval between
the two doses is 3 months.
REQUIREMENTS FOR 6TH GRADE ENTRY:
5. One dose of Tdap is required for
6th grade entry IF the child is 11 years old. If
the child is 10 years old when entering 6th grade they have 45 days after their 11th birthday to receive the Tdap
vaccination. If a child has a contraindication to Tdap, Td is acceptable. If a
child aged 7 through 9 years receives a dose of Tdap as part of a catch-up
series, an adolescent Tdap vaccine dose must be
administered by the 45th day following the child’s 11th birthday. A dose given
at age 10 will count for the 6th grade Tdap requirement. If a child 7 years or
older has an incomplete DTaP primary series, please contact the Department of
Health for assistance.
6. One dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4)
is required for 6th grade entry IF the child is 11
years old. If the child is 10 years old when entering 6th grade they have 45 days after their 11th birthday to receive the
meningococcal vaccine. If a child receives a dose at age 10 or after, the dose
does not need to be repeated.
NOTE: Hib, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV, annual Influenza, and
Pneumococcal vaccines are recommended but not required.
Legal alternatives to minimum immunization requirements are defined, and the means for appropriate certification is provided for, on the face of this document. There are no other exemptions.
Contact the South Dakota Department of Health, Immunization Program, at 1-800-592-1861 (in SD only), or email with your questions. Check this schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a complete listing of recommended immunizations.
Kindergarten Immunization Requirements
6th Grade Immunization Requirements