Return to School Infectious Disease Prevention & Response Program Homepage

Best Practices to Prevent Illness in Education Settings

Page last updated 11/24/2025. Page originally published 7/17/2025.

_{In alignment with leading medical, health, and patient advocacy groups, the County of San Diego affirms that vaccines are not linked to autism. We remain committed to ensuring residents continue to have access to safe and effective vaccines that are based on credible, transparent, and science-based evidence.}

Guidance Documents

General

San Diego

• Infectious Disease Prevention Guidance and Resources

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

• Considerations when a Child has Symptoms of Illness in Child Care or School
• Public Health Guidance for TK–12 Schools and Child Care Settings
• Safe Schools for All Hub

Early Care and Education Programs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Protecting Against COVID-19 and Other Infections in Early Care and Education Programs

K-12 Schools

CDC

• Preventing Infections in K-12 Schools

Cases, Close Contacts, Outbreaks

General

• To connect with the Epidemiology School Response Team:  
  • Email PHS.EPI-SCHOOLS.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov, or
  • Call (619) 692-8636 (available M-F from 8am-4pm, excluding holidays).
• Please see the SDCOE Infectious Disease Prevention Guidance and Resources for guidance on when to stay home.

Early Care and Education Programs

• ECE providers are required to report outbreaks to their local health department and to their local Community Care Licensing (CCL) Regional Office.
  • To reach a Licensing Duty Officer please call (619) 767-2200 and press #3.
• Child care providers are required to report the suspected presence of any of the conditions listed in Section 2500 (j) to the local health department.

K-12 Schools

• As of March 1, 2023, schools are no longer required to report individual COVID-19 cases to the County Public Health Department. However, the reporting of outbreaks is still required.

Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Hygiene

General

CDC

• About Hand Hygiene in Schools and Early Care and Education Settings
• Handwashing and Hygiene Educational Materials
• Healthy Habits: Coughing and Sneezing

Early Care and Education Programs

County of San Diego (CoSD)

• Early Care and Education Settings Cleaning and Disinfecting Guide

CDC

• Healthy Habits: Diaper Changing Steps for Childcare Settings
• How To Clean and Disinfect Early Care and Education Settings
• How to Clean, Sanitize, and Store Infant Feeding Items Frequently Asked Questions

K-12 Schools

CoSD

• K-12 Settings Cleaning and Disinfecting Guide

CDC

• Preventing Infections in K-12 Schools

Vaccination

General

CoSD

• Childcare/Preschool and TK/K-12 Resources
• Immunization Requirements for Childcare/Preschool and TK/K-12 Schools

K-12 Schools

California Immunization Coalition

• Preparing for School Located COVID-19 Vaccination Events.

Institutes of Higher Education

CDPH

• Immunization Recommendations and Screening Requirements for California Colleges & Universities

Ventilation

General

CoSD

• Clean Indoor Air Do-it-Yourself Air Filter
• Taking Steps for Cleaner Air

CDPH

• Interim Guidance for Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Quality in Indoor Environments

Early Care and Education Programs

CDC

• Ventilation in Schools and Childcare Programs

K-12 Schools

CoSD

• Air Quality in Schools Flyer

CDPH

• Safe Schools for All
• Improving Indoor Air Quality in Schools

Environmental Protection Agency

• Creating Healthy Indoor Air Quality in Schools

School Ventilation Trainings 

Top of Page

Contact the San Diego Immunization Unit via e-mail or call (866) 358-2966.

Contact the Epidemiology School Response Team via e-mail or call (619) 692-8636.