Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 511 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 511-2 - DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL
Subject 511-2-2 - IMMUNIZATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
Rule 511-2-2-.02 - Immunization Required

(a) Except as otherwise provided, immunization against the following diseases shall be required of all children entering a school or childcare facility operating in the state:

(b) A parent or guardian must submit a valid Certificate of Immunization for any child entering a school or childcare facility in the state of Georgia for the first time.

(c) School or childcare facility officials may allow a child without a valid certificate of immunization to attend for no more than 90 calendar days after the first day of attendance, provided that the parent or legal guardian either shows that that the child is in the process of completing required immunizations and that immunizations are being scheduled with the shortest intervals recommended in the current Official Immunization Schedules, or presents an affidavit of religious objection as provided in DPH Rule 511-2-2-.07.

(d) Effective July 1, 2014, for entrance into Georgia school grades kindergarten through twelve, students must have a total of two doses of measles vaccine, two doses of mumps vaccine, one dose of rubella vaccine and a total of two doses of varicella vaccine.

(e) Children attending any childcare facility must show evidence of protection against pneumococcal disease.

(f) Children born on or after January 1, 2006 who are attending any childcare facility or school must have proof of protection against hepatitis A disease (vaccination or serology).

(g) Requirements for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines may be waived with serologic proof of immunity. Requirements for varicella vaccine may be waived also with a healthcare provider diagnosis of varicella disease or healthcare provider verification of history of varicella disease.

(h) Effective July 1, 2014, children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are attending seventh grade, and children who are new entrants into a Georgia school in grades eight through twelve, must have received one dose of Tdap vaccine.

(i) Effective July 1, 2014, children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are attending seventh grade, and children who are new entrants into a Georgia school in grades eight through twelve, must have received one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

(j) Effective July 1, 2021, children sixteen years of age and older who are attending eleventh grade must receive a booster dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine, unless their initial dose was administered on or after their sixteenth birthday.