Vaccines for Back-to-School

Page originally published 9/1/2026.

The County of San Diego is dedicated to preventing vaccine-preventable diseases by following the West Coast Health Alliance’s (WCHA) recommendations for vaccinations based on credible, transparent, and science-based evidence.

VaccinesforBack2School

A healthy school year starts with back-to-school vaccines. See steps and resources below to create your back-to-school checklist for vaccines.

  • Stay Informed
    • California’s School Vaccine Requirements | How Vaccines Work | Talk to Your Child’s Doctor
  • Stay Up to Date
    • Check Your Child’s Vaccine Record | Insurance Coverage | Find a Vaccine Location
  • Raise Awareness
    • Share with Your Networks and Communities | Find Childhood Vaccination Rates

Stay Informed

California’s School Vaccine Requirements

California school and childcare vaccine requirements have not changed.

  • Children are required to receive certain immunizations (vaccines) to attend public and private schools and licensed childcare centers.
    • Based on the child's age, required vaccines include diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; polio; hepatitis B; measles, mumps, and rubella; and varicella (chickenpox).
  • Schools and childcares are required to check immunization records for all new student admissions including at pre-kindergarten (Pre-K), transitional kindergarten (TK), kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12), and at 7th grade.
    • Parents must show their child’s Immunization Record as proof of immunization. 

Schools bring children together to learn and play. Because contagious diseases can spread quickly in shared spaces like classrooms and playgrounds, schools require routine childhood vaccines to help keep students healthy and learning.

Talk to Your Child’s Doctor

There’s a lot of information out there about vaccines. The best person to discuss your questions or concerns with is your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider. Doctors and nurses track important health research and guidance.

Other trusted sources include the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

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Stay Up to Date

Check Your Child’s Vaccine Record

Be sure to bring your child’s vaccine records with you when registering for school. Go to My Turn to find recommended vaccines, book appointments, and access your Digital Vaccine Record.

Insurance Coverage

All CDPH-recommended vaccines are covered by insurance with no co-pays or out-of-pocket costs to patients. Kids without insurance can receive required vaccines at no-cost from their pediatrician, primary care doctor, or community clinic. 

Find a Vaccine Location

There are many ways to get your child up to date on their vaccines before heading back to school:

If you do not have a health care provider, call 2-1-1.

The County of San Diego also partners with local organizations to bring vaccines directly into communities.

For Organizations and Schools

Interested groups can host a vaccination event in a community or school setting.

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Raise Awareness

Share Evidence-Based Information with Your Networks and Communities

Whether you’re a healthcare provider, community health worker, faith leader, teacher, librarian, community-based organization, or parent – as a trusted messenger, you play an important role in sharing accurate information and highlighting the importance of vaccines.

For Healthcare Professionals

Find Childhood Vaccination Rates in Your Community

View the percentage of students in schools and childcare facilities that are up-to-date on required vaccines. Finding vaccination rates in your community is important because you are aware of how well-protected you and your family is from vaccine-preventable diseases.

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Contact the San Diego Immunization Unit via e-mail or call (866) 358-2966 for more information or to request materials.