Students and child care providers are required to be vaccinated against certain diseases in Rhode Island. These requirements are based on recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and healthcare providers in Rhode Island.

Required immunizations for students

Requirements for children entering pre-kindergarten

• 4 doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine
• 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine
• 3 doses of Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine
• 1 dose of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
• 4 doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (not routinely given to healthy children 5 years of age and older)
• 3 doses of polio vaccine
• 1 dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

Requirements for children entering kindergarten

A child who is entering kindergarten must have met the pre-kindergarten immunization requirements, plus:

• 1 dose of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine
• 1 dose of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
• 1 dose of polio vaccine
• 1 dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

Requirements for children entering 7th grade

A child who is entering 7th grade must have met the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten immunization requirements, plus:

• 1 dose of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine
• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate (meningitis) vaccine
• 1 dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine

Requirement for children entering 12th grade

A child who is entering 12th grade must have met the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and 7th grade immunization requirements, plus:

• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate (meningitis) vaccine – booster dose

Required immunizations for child care workers

• 1 dose of flu vaccine every year
• 2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
• 1 dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine
• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

Substitutes for immunization

• A student or child care worker does not need to be vaccinated against varicella (chickenpox) if they present a signed statement from a doctor indicating that they have a history of varicella.
• A student or child care worker does not need to be vaccinated against varicella (chickenpox), the measles, mumps, or rubella if they present laboratory evidence of immunity to these diseases.

HPV vaccination

A 3-dose HPV immunization requirement is being phased in. For fall 2015, 1 dose will be required for 7th graders. For fall 2016, one dose will be required for 7th graders and 2 doses will be required for 8th graders. For fall 2017, 1 dose will be required for 7th graders, 2 doses will be required for 8th graders, and 3 doses will be required for 9th graders.