Another school year starts soon. These are the vaccination requirements for CMS students
The start of a new school year is just around the corner in Charlotte, and that means making sure kids are set up to get back in the classroom without a hitch.
In Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, that process includes making sure your child has all of the required immunizations for students their age and for the grade they’re headed to.
Families with students new to North Carolina public schools also have additional health requirements to address during the enrollment process.
Here’s what to know about the CMS vaccine requirements and how to make sure your kids are up-to-date on all that’s needed:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools vaccine requirements
The CMS vaccine requirements are set by state law, and they vary depending on what grade your child is going into.
Kindergartners must have:
Five doses of the Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine
Four doses of the Polio vaccine
Two doses of the Measles vaccine
Two doses of the Mumps vaccine
One dose of the Rubella vaccine
Four doses of the Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine
Three doses of the Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine
Two doses of the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
Four doses of the Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Once student reaches the seventh grade, they must have:
Five doses of the Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine
Four doses of the Polio vaccine
Two doses of the Measles vaccine
Two doses of the Mumps vaccine
One dose of the Rubella vaccine
Four doses of the Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine
Three doses of the Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine
One dose of the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
One dose of the Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine
One dose of the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
And once students reach the 12th grade, they must have:
Five doses of the Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine
Four doses of the Polio vaccine
Two doses of the Measles vaccine
Two doses of the Mumps vaccine
One dose of the Rubella vaccine
Four doses of the Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine
Three doses of the Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine
One dose of the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
One dose of the Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine
Two doses of the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
Students new to North Carolina public schools must also have “a physical documented on the Health Assessment Transmittal Form.”
“The health assessment must have been completed within 12 months prior to the date the child was eligible to enroll,” CMS says.
Does CMS require COVID vaccination?
CMS students are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but the COVID vaccine is available to kids 6 months of age and older.
CMS vaccine exemptions
There are options for CMS families with children who, for medical or religious reasons, cannot get certain vaccines required for going to school.
“Any religious exemptions must be presented in writing to the school,” the district advises. “Medical exemptions must be completed by a physician and must state the basis for the exemption.”
Immunization events
Families who need to get their children caught up on one or more vaccinations before the start of the new school year still have time, with multiple “immunization events” scheduled through the rest of the summer, including:
A Mecklenburg County Health event is scheduled for July 30 at 249 Billingsley Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. State-required vaccines as well as COVID vaccines and flu shots will be offered.
A Mecklenburg County Health event is scheduled for Aug. 27 at 2845 Beatties Ford Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. State-required vaccines as well as COVID vaccines and flu shots will be offered.
Vaccination appointments at The C.W. Williams Community Health Center, 5800 Old Pineville Road, are available Aug. 8-12. Physicals and dental screenings will also be offered.
