NJ School Vaccine Requirements 2026: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Why School Vaccine Requirements Matter This Summer

Every summer, thousands of New Jersey families scramble in the weeks before school starts to get their children's immunization records in order. Missing a required vaccine can mean your child is excluded from school until it's on file — not the start to the school year any family wants.

Whether you have a kindergartener entering school for the first time or a returning student who may have missed a booster, this guide covers exactly what New Jersey requires for the 2026–2027 school year — and how to get any missing vaccines taken care of at Hummingbird Pediatrics in Robbinsville.

NJ School Immunization Requirements for 2026–2027

New Jersey's school immunization requirements are set by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJ DOH) and are enforced statewide for all public and private schools, including childcare centers. Requirements vary by grade level. Below is a summary of the key requirements:

Childcare and Preschool (6 weeks – Pre-K)

• DTaP — 4 doses (at least 1 dose after age 12 months)
• Polio (IPV) — 3 doses
• MMR — 1 dose (after age 12 months)
• Varicella — 1 dose (after age 12 months, unless documented history of disease)
• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) — age-appropriate series
• Hepatitis B — 3 doses
• PCV (pneumococcal conjugate) — age-appropriate series

Kindergarten Entry (Age 5–6)

Kindergarten is the largest checkpoint for school vaccine compliance. At kindergarten entry, NJ requires:

• DTaP — 5 doses (or 4 doses if the 4th dose was given after 4th birthday)
• Polio (IPV) — 4 doses (or 3 doses if the 3rd dose was given after 4th birthday)
• MMR — 2 doses
• Varicella — 2 doses
• Hepatitis B — 3 doses

The 4-year well-child visit is designed specifically to administer the kindergarten boosters: DTaP, IPV, MMR, and Varicella 2nd doses are all due at this visit. If your child is starting kindergarten in fall 2026 and hasn't had their 4-year checkup yet, schedule it now — these can't be administered the day before school starts.

Grade 6 Entry

• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis booster) — 1 dose
• Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) — 1 dose
• HPV vaccine — while not currently a state mandate for school entry, strongly recommended; series should begin at age 11–12

Grade 11 Entry / 16-Year Booster

• Meningococcal booster (MenACWY) — 1 dose (if first dose given before age 16)

The Flu Vaccine: Required for Childcare, Recommended for All

New Jersey requires an annual influenza (flu) vaccine for all children enrolled in childcare and preschool programs. For school-age children (K–12), the flu vaccine is not mandated by state law for school attendance, but it is strongly recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC — and it can be administered at any age-appropriate well visit or as a standalone vaccine appointment.

At Hummingbird Pediatrics, we offer Flucelvax — a cell-based flu vaccine that is not grown in eggs, making it an option for most children and providing good immune response.

How to Check Your Child's Vaccine Status

Not sure where your child stands? Here's how to find out:

• Check the patient portal — If your child is a patient at Hummingbird Pediatrics, their immunization record is accessible through the InteliChart patient portal.
• Contact our office — Call (609) 808-3123 and we can review your child's record and let you know what's due.
• Request an Immunization History Printout — NJ participates in the New Jersey Immunization Information System (NJIIS), which tracks vaccine records statewide. Your pediatrician can pull this record.

Don't Wait Until August

Our appointment schedule fills up significantly in July and August as families prepare for the school year. If you know your child needs vaccines or a school physical, the best time to schedule is now — June or early July. For children starting kindergarten, the 4-year well visit and vaccine appointment should ideally happen well before July to ensure the required waiting periods are met.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vaccines are required for kindergarten in New Jersey?

For kindergarten entry in New Jersey, children must have: 5 doses of DTaP (or 4 doses if the 4th was given after the 4th birthday), 4 doses of polio/IPV (or 3 doses if the 3rd was given after the 4th birthday), 2 doses each of MMR and Varicella, and 3 doses of Hepatitis B. These are typically completed at the 4-year well-child visit.

Does New Jersey require vaccines for school?

Yes — New Jersey has mandatory school vaccination requirements for all children attending public or private school, including childcare and preschool. New Jersey does not allow philosophical or personal belief exemptions. Only documented medical contraindications or sincerely held religious beliefs are recognized as exemptions.

What vaccines does a child need for 6th grade in NJ?

For 6th grade entry in New Jersey, students must have received a Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and a meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY). The HPV vaccine series is also strongly recommended starting at age 11–12, though it is not currently a state school mandate.

How do I find my child's vaccination records in New Jersey?

You can access your child's vaccination records through your pediatrician's patient portal, by calling your pediatrician's office to request a printout, or through the New Jersey Immunization Information System (NJIIS), which tracks vaccine records statewide. Your pediatrician can pull NJIIS records for you.

When should I schedule my child's back-to-school vaccines?

Schedule as early as possible — ideally June or early July. Pediatric offices in NJ fill up significantly in late July and August. For kindergarteners, the 4-year well visit should happen well before summer to allow time to address any catch-up needs. Don't wait until August.

For families with older children or adolescents, also see our immunizations page for more information on the full vaccine schedule, including HPV, Tdap, and meningococcal vaccines.