Minimum Immunization Requirements for Children Enrolling or Entering a Child Care Facility or School in Illinois, 2025-2026

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

Three doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine (DTP or DTaP) by 1 year of age, and one additional dose by the second birthday.

Minimum intervals:

• Between each of the the first three doses, there must be at least four weeks.
• Between the third and fourth dose, there must be at least six months.

Four or more doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP or DTaP) vaccine with the last dose being a booster and having been received on or after the fourth birthday.

Children ages 7 years and older should receive Tdap or Td instead of DTP or DTaP per the ACIP catch-up schedule.

Minimum ages and intervals:

• Between each of the three or more primary series doses, there must be an interval of at least four weeks.
• Between the primary series and the booster dose, there must be an interval of at least six months.
• Booster must be administered on or after the child’s fourth birthday.

Three or more doses of DTP, DTaP, pediatric DT, or Td (Receipt of Pediatric DT or Td vaccine in lieu of DTP or DTaP is acceptable only if the pertussis component of the vaccine is medically contraindicated) with the last dose being a booster and having been received on or after the fourth birthday. While not explicitly stated in Illinois Administrative Code, Tdap is routinely used and acceptable for catch-up immunization of children 7 years and older.

Minimum intervals:

• Between each of the two or more primary series doses, there must be an interval of at least 4 weeks.
• Between the last dose in the primary series and the booster dose, there must be an interval of at least six months.

Booster dose must be administered on or after the child’s fourth birthday.

Entering sixth grade:

One dose Tdap vaccine at age ≥11 years, regardless of interval since the last dose of DTP, DTaP, or Td.

Persons aged 7–18 years

• If persons aged 7–18 years have never been vaccinated against pertussis, tetanus, or diphtheria, these persons should receive a series of three tetanus and diphtheria toxoid–containing vaccines, which includes at least one Tdap dose. The preferred schedule is one dose of Tdap, followed by one dose of either Td or Tdap ≥4 weeks afterward, and one dose of either Td or Tdap 6–12 months later.
• Persons aged 7–18 years who are not fully immunized against tetanus and diphtheria should receive one dose of Tdap, preferably as the first dose in the catch-up series; if additional tetanus toxoid–containing doses are required, either Td or Tdap may be used.
• The vaccination series does not need to be restarted for those with incomplete DTaP history, regardless of the time that has elapsed between doses. The catch-up schedule and minimum intervals between doses are available at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-age.html.

Persons aged ≥19 years

• If persons aged ≥19 years have never been vaccinated against pertussis, tetanus, or diphtheria, these persons should receive a series of three tetanus and diphtheria toxoid–containing vaccines, which includes at least one Tdap dose. The preferred schedule is one dose of Tdap, followed by one dose of either Td or Tdap at least four weeks afterward, and one dose of either Td or Tdap 6–12 months later.
• Persons aged ≥19 years who are not fully immunized against tetanus and diphtheria should receive one dose of Tdap, preferably as the first dose in the catch-up series; if additional tetanus toxoid–containing doses are required, either Td or Tdap may be used.

Persons aged ≥7 years

• DTaP is not indicated for persons aged ≥7 years. If DTaP is administered inadvertently to a fully vaccinated child aged 7–9 years, an adolescent Tdap dose should be administered at age 11–12 years.
• If DTaP is administered inadvertently to an undervaccinated child aged 7–9 years, this dose should count as the Tdap dose of the catch-up series, and the child should receive an adolescent Tdap dose at age 11–12 years.
• If DTaP is administered inadvertently to a person aged ≥10 years, this dose should count as the adolescent Tdap dose routinely administered at age 11–12 years.

Fully vaccinated children aged 7–10 years

• If a fully vaccinated child aged 7–9 years receives Tdap, the Tdap dose should not be counted as valid. The adolescent Tdap dose should be administered as recommended when this child is aged 11–12 years.
• The preferred age at administration for the adolescent Tdap dose is 11–12 years. However, if Tdap is administered at age 10 years, the Tdap dose may count as the adolescent Tdap dose.

No alternate proof of immunity allowed

In accordance with the ACIP catch-up series, a fourth dose of polio is not needed if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least six months after the previous dose was administered.

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

Two doses by 1 year of age. One additional dose by second birthday.

Three doses for any child 24 months of age or older appropriately spaced.

Minimum intervals:

• Between each of the first three doses, there must be an interval of at least four weeks.

• Doses of OPV administered on or after April 1, 2016, do not count towards the U.S. vaccination schedule. For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6606a7.htm.
• Several countries use a smaller polio dose called fractional IPV (fIPV), which is 1/5 of a full dose and given into the skin. For U.S. school requirements, two fIPV doses = one full polio dose. One fIPV dose does not count toward the U.S. schedule. For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/polio/hcp/routine-polio-vaccination.html.

Minimum intervals:

• Between each of the first three doses, there must be an interval of at least four weeks.
• Between the primary series and the booster dose, there must be an interval of at least six months.
• Booster (fourth dose) must be administered on or after the child’s fourth birthday.

Progressive requirement applies to grades K-8. See the rules that apply to First Entry into School (Kindergarten or First Grade). This is a progressive requirement starting in 2017-2018. For the 2025-2026 school year, the four-dose requirement applies to grades K-8.

Grades 9-12: Three or more doses of polio vaccine with the last dose on or after the fourth birthday.

Minimum intervals:

• Between each dose, there must be an interval of at least four weeks.
• Booster must be administered on or after the child’s fourth birthday.

• Doses of OPV administered on or after April 1, 2016, do not count towards the U.S. vaccination schedule. For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6606a7.htm.
• Several countries use a smaller polio dose called fractional IPV (fIPV), which is 1/5 of a full dose and given into the skin. For U.S. school requirements, two fIPV doses = one full polio dose. One fIPV dose does not count toward the U.S. schedule. For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/polio/hcp/routine-polio-vaccination.html.

No alternate proof of immunity allowed

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

One dose on or after the first birthday.

Two doses of measles vaccine, the first dose must have been received on or after the first birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks (28 days) later.

Proof of prior measles disease shall be verified with date of illness signed by a physician or laboratory evidence of measles immunity. A diagnosis of measles disease made by a physician on or after July 1, 2002, must be confirmed by laboratory evidence.

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

One dose on or after the first birthday.

Two doses of rubella vaccine, the first dose must have been received on or after the first birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks (28 days) later.

Laboratory evidence of rubella immunity.

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

One dose on or after the first birthday

Two doses of mumps vaccine, the first dose must have been received on or after the first birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks (28 days) later.

Proof of prior mumps disease shall be verified with date of illness signed by a physician or laboratory evidence of mumps immunity.

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

Three doses appropriately spaced. (see doses in minimum interval column).

Minimum ages and intervals:

• Between first and second doses, there must be an interval of at least four weeks.
• Between second and third doses, there must be an interval of at least eight weeks.
• Between the first and third doses, there must be an interval of at least 16 weeks.
• The third dose must have been administered on or after 24 weeks of age (168 days).

Kindergarten through fifth grade not a requirement.

Recommendation: Review these records and, if necessary, have student be brought up to date with hepatitis B series.

Students entering grades 6-12: Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine administered at appropriate intervals.

Minimum intervals:

• Between the first and second doses, there must be an interval of at least four weeks.
• Between the second and third doses, there must be an interval of at least eight weeks.
• Between the first and third doses, there must be an interval of at least 16 weeks.

The third dose of hepatitis B vaccine is not required if it can be documented that the child received two doses of adult formulation Recombivax-HB vaccine (10 mcg) and was 11 to 15 years of age at the time of vaccine administration, and that the interval between receipt of the two doses was at least four months.

Proof of prior or current infection, if verified by laboratory evidence, may be substituted for proof of vaccination. Laboratory evidence of prior or current hepatitis B infection is acceptable only if one of the following serologic tests indicates positivity: HBsAg, anti-HBc or anti-HBs.

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

Proof of immunization that complies with the ACIP recommendation for Hib vaccination. Children 24-59 months of age without series shall show proof of one dose of Hib vaccine at 15 months of age or older.

Refer to ACIP Hib series schedule:

• Immunization Schedules
• ACIP Vaccine Recommendations
• CDC Job Aid | Hib Catch-Up Guidance for PedvaxHIB Brand Only
• CDC Job Aid | Hib Catch-Up Guidance for Other or Unknown Hib Brands

No requirement for children 5 years of age (60 months of age) or older.

No alternate proof of immunity allowed

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

Proof of immunization that complies with ACIP recommendations for PCV. Children 24 to 59 months of age without primary series of PCV, shall show proof of receiving one dose of PCV after 24 months of age.

Refer to ACIP PCV series schedule:

• Immunization Schedules
• ACIP Vaccine Recommendations
• CDC Job Aid | Pneumococcal Catch-Up Guidance

No requirement for children 5 years of age (60 months of age) or older.

No alternate proof of immunity allowed

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

One dose on or after first birthday.

Two doses of varicella vaccine are required for all grade levels. The first dose must have been on or after the first birthday. Between the first and second doses, there must be an interval of at least four weeks.

Proof of prior varicella disease shall be verified with one of the following:

1. Date of illness signed by a physician; or
2. A health care provider's interpretation that a parent's or legal guardian's description of varicella disease history is indicative of past infection; or
3. Laboratory evidence of varicella immunity

This indicates antigens that may be available in either single-antigen and/or combination-antigen vaccines.

No Requirement.

No Requirement.

Students entering grades 6-11:

One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine on or after the child’s 11^th birthday.

Students entering 12^th grade:

Two doses of meningococcal conjugate vaccine, with the second dose administered on or after the child’s 16^th birthday and at least eight weeks after the first dose. The second dose is not necessary if the first dose is administered on or after the child’s 16^th birthday.

For meningococcal conjugate vaccome:

If there is an indication for earlier vaccination (between ages 10 and 11 years), then the health care provider may submit a letter/statement stating the reasons along with the vaccine records. This letter/statement should be honored by school health authorities and NOT submitted to IDPH for review.

No alternate proof of immunity allowed