Growing minds and bodies need support, and protection starts from within. To keep all students safe, Chicago schools require certain immunizations in compliance with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Here’s what families need to know about current Chicago school vaccination requirements and how to get them.
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Why are vaccines required for Chicago students?
Children are susceptible to a variety of contagious but preventable diseases as they grow. To ensure the safety of your child and those around them, state-mandated immunizations strengthen the immune system and stop the spread of potentially life-threatening illnesses.
Are vaccines safe?
All required immunizations have undergone years of rigorous testing to ensure safety and effectiveness. Vaccine timelines are specifically designed to protect children at key stages of development.
Vaccines are continuously monitored by organizations like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to verify performance and protection.
Immunization requirements for Chicago students
Health requirement deadlines vary per institution, ranging from the first day of school to mid-October. Many of these vaccines require additional doses as age increases. Check the IDPH’s requirements or contact your primary care physician to ensure your child has received the correct number of doses.
- Pre-K: DTaP, Polio, Hib, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, PCV and Pneumococcal
- Kindergarten and students entering Illinois’ schools for the first time: Additional doses of prior vaccines
- Sixth and ninth grade: Tdap (for children 11 and under), Meningococcal and additional doses of prior vaccines
- 12th grade: Additional Meningococcal dose
Additional exams such as physicals, dental and vision exams are also required at various grade levels. Institutions may strongly recommend further vaccinations such as COVID-19, Influeanza and HPV, but no further immunizations are required for attendance.
Where can I take my child to get vaccinated in Chicago?
Your family’s primary care office, pharmacy and local health department can all administer vaccines to your child. The IDPH also maintains a vaccine locator that allows residents to identify public provider sites.
If your family does not have a primary care provider, students can visit a Chicago Public Schools School-Based Health Center. Some locations are available to neighboring institutions and community members.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) also offers free vaccinations for Chicago students regardless of insurance coverage.
