Information for Parents and the Community

Immunization Schedules

Baby Shots - What your child needs for protection against serious childhood diseases [PDF 1.13 MB]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Childhood Immunization Schedule: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm
Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0--18 Years --- United States, 2008
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ mm5701a8.htm?s_cid=mm5701a8_e
Interactive Child's Immunization Scheduler (birth to 5 years old): http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/kidstuff/newscheduler_le/

Immunization Requirements

For Children Entering or Attending Childcare, Family Daycare, Preschool and/or School

The Florida Certification of Immunization, Form 680, must be used to document the immunizations required for entry and attendance in Florida schools. These forms are not available to the public and must be completed by a Florida physician or a Florida county health department. If moving to Florida, it is recommended that parents obtain a copy of the child's complete immunization history before leaving the current state of residence. The county health department that serves the area where the child will be residing will need this information.

Immunization Guidelines - Florida Schools, Child Care Facilities and Family Day Care Homes [PDF 213 KB] This guide is for health care professionals, schools, preschool, child care and family day care operators.

Forms Required for Immunization Documentation:

• Department of Health Form 680

Ask your doctor, clinic or county health department to fill out the Department of Health Form 680 for you. Dont forget to take your child's immunization record with you. The local county health department or healthcare provider will need this information

Immunizations Required for Child Care and/or Family Day Care (up-to-date for age):

• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine
• Polio vaccine
• Measles vaccine
• Mumps vaccine
• Rubella vaccine
• Varicella vaccine (Effective July 1, 2001)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
• Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (Effective January 1, 2008 for children 2 to 24 months of age)

Public/Non-public Preschool Entry (up-to-date for age):

• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine
• Polio vaccine
• Measles vaccine
• Mumps vaccine
• Rubella vaccine
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Varicella vaccine (effective school year 2001/2002)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine

Public/Non-Public Schools K-12 (children entering, attending, or transferring to Florida schools):

• Four or five doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine
• Three or four doses of polio vaccine
• Two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine*
• Two or three doses of hepatitis B vaccine
• One dose of varicella vaccine (kindergarten effective school year 2001/2002, then each year an additional grade)
• Two doses of varicella vaccine (kindergarten effective school year 2008/2009, then each year an additional grade)

* Effective for K to 12 in 2008/2009 school year: 2nd dose of mumps and rubella. Preferably as two doses of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV) in the combined form.

Immunizations Required for 7th Grade Entry:

• Tetanus-diphtheria -peratussis (Tdap)

For more information, contact your County Health Department or private physician.

Locating Your Child's Immunization Records

Where can I obtain a record of my child's immunization history?

• Florida has developed a statewide, computerized immunization registry, Florida SHOTS, and vaccination records for county health department clients are available (to authorized system users only) through a central database. The registry now includes the immunization records of children receiving their immunizations from many private physicians as well. Health care providers who are authorized immunization registry users may be able to access the records for any previous immunization in the state.
• The health care provider (doctor) or county health department that administered your child's immunizations should maintain a record of the vaccination history.
• If for any reason you cannot obtain the record from the immunization provider, try contacting the school or child care facility that your child most recently attended. Depending upon the length of time since your child's attendance, they may have a record on file.

How do I contact the County Health Department?

• A list of each county health department in Florida (including the phone number and location) can be found on the Department of Healths Web site.

Can the State Health Office provide me with a copy of my child's immunization record?

• Immunization records are not available through the State Health Office.
• Requests for a child's immunization record should be made through the county health department or private health care provider (doctor).
• Florida has developed a statewide, computerized immunization registry, Florida SHOTS, and vaccination records for county health department clients are available (to authorized system users only) through a central database. The registry now includes the immunization records of children receiving their immunizations from many private physicians as well. Health care providers who are authorized immunization registry users may be able to access the records for any previous immunization in the state.

What if I cannot locate my child's immunization record prior to entry in a school or child care facility?

• If you are attempting to enroll your child in a school or child care facility and have not located the immunization record, age-appropriate immunizations will be required.

For more information, contact your County Health Department or private health care provider.

I do not have health insurance for my child. Who do I call?

Florida KidCare is the state’s children’s health insurance program for uninsured children under age 19. It includes four different parts, or programs: MediKids, Healthy Kids, Children's Medical Services and Medicaid. When you apply for the insurance, Florida KidCare will check which program your child may be eligible for based on age and family income. The are several ways to apply for Florida KidCare:

You can apply for Florida KidCare by, calling 1-888-540-5437, by telephone, apply online, or print an application and instructions. For more information visit www.floridakidcare.org.