Delaware Immunization Regulation

  • Delaware law requires all students entering a school system to provide proof of immunizations. The Delaware Department of Education collaborates with the Delaware Division of Public Health to establish mandatory immunization requirements based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Private school students have comparable requirements based on the Delaware Division of Public Health Regulation 4204.

  • Delaware Immunization Regulation

     

    Delaware required immunizations:

    • 5 or more doses of DTaP or DTP Td vaccine (unless 4th dose was given after the 4th birthday)
    • 4 doses of IPV or OPV (unless 3rd dose was given after the 4th birthday)
    • 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
    • 2 doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine
    • 2 doses of Varicella or a written disease history by a licensed healthcare provider
    • In August 2016, entering 9th Graders must additionally have 1 dose Tdap (adult booster) and 1 dose meningococcal
      • In 8/2017 - Grades 9-10
      • In 8/2018 - Grades 9-11
      • In 8/2019 - Grades 9-12
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  • Delaware allows two exemptions to immunizations:

    • Medical Exemptions

    Medical exemptions to any of the required immunizations must be requested in writing from the healthcare provider for situations related to: lost records, alternate catch-up schedules, Measles/Mumps/Rubella second dose given prior to the fourth birthday, history of Varicella (chicken pox) immunity and delayed schedules for children who are immunocompromised.

    Immunization - School Vaccination Medical Exemption Form

    Varicella Immunity Statement

    All other exemptions must be approved by the Delaware Division of Public Health using the Supplemental School Vaccination Exemption Form signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or advanced practice nurse.  Most contraindications are temporary and the vaccine can be given at a later time.

    Immunization - Supplemental School Vaccination Exemption Form

    • Religious Exemptions

    Religious exemptions must be submitted on the Delaware Affidavit of Religious Belief and must be notarized.

    Immunization - Notarized Affidavit of Religious Belief
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  • The CPR/AED Recommendation document was created by the Child Death Review Commission, Chronic Health Conditions of School Age Children Committee and finalized in Spring 2019. The committee members included representatives from various agencies such as the Delaware Department of Education, Delaware Division of Public Health, Nemours, Christiana Care Health Systems, Bayada Health and Delaware School Nurses. The purpose of this document is to support school districts and charter schools as they develop written, school-level protocols for CPR and AEDs. The process is outlined on how to obtain and replace existing AED models, training, maintenance, monitoring and development of a Cardiac Emergency Response Communication Plan.

    Contact Information:

    School Health Services Program Office
    Ann Covey, BSN, RN, NCSN
    Delaware Department of Education
    35 Commerce Way, Suite 1
    Dover, DE 19901
    Phone: 302-857-3356
    Fax: 302-739-6397
     
Last Modified on December 4, 2020