Seattle Public Schools

Health Services

Immunizations

Student Immunization Requirements

What immunizations are required to attend SPS?

To attend school students must present a signed Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS). Our district requires that immunization information on the CIS comes from a medical provider. Talk to your health care provider or school staff if you have questions about school immunization requirements.

Kindergarten – 6th Grade 

  • Hepatitis B
    • 3 doses 
  • DTaP/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
    • 5 doses* 
  • Polio 
    • 4 doses* 
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
    • 2 doses 
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)
    • 2 doses OR A health care provider verified the child had the disease 

7th Grade – 12th Grade

  • Hepatitis B 
    • 3 doses
  • DTaP/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
    •  5 doses DTaP * AND 1 dose Tdap 
  • Polio 
    • 4 doses* 
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
    • 2 doses 
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)
    • 2 doses OR A health care provider verified the child had the disease

* Vaccine Doses may be fewer than listed depending on your child’s situation.

There are important vaccines for children that are not required for school entry. Find information on these vaccines. 

Washington State Department of Health Immunization Schedules

Students can access immunizations at:

Washington State Law allows exemptions to the immunization requirements for religious, medical, or personal reasons. These are recorded on a Certificate of Exemption (COE).

Certificate of Exemptions (COE) to immunization requirements:

Beginning with applications received after 7/22/2011 exemptions require both parent/guardian and health-care provider’s signature except for certain religious exemptions.

Please bring a completed Certificate of Exemption form to your child’s school. Note: Personal exemption is not allowed for MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella).

I received notice that my student is missing immunizations but I know they are up to date. How do I fix this?  

If our records are incorrect, we need your help in getting them updated. Please send your student’s medically verified record from your health care provider to immunizations@seattleschools.org or fax to 206-252-0751. You can also bring the record to your student’s school.   

Medically verified includes information from:   

  • Doctor or clinic  
  • State department  
  • Immigration office  
  • Other official record (even if it’s in a language other than English)  

What if my student has an upcoming vaccination appointment?   

Give your student’s school nurse the appointment date.   

What if I have a lab report from a doctor to prove my student is immune to certain diseases and doesn’t need a vaccine?  

Please share the lab report with your student’s school nurse or send the information to the Student Health Services team at immunizations@seattleschools.org or fax to 206-252-0751.

My student received notice saying they can’t attend school until their vaccination records are updated. Can I appeal this decision? 

Yes. To appeal, you must request a hearing from the SPS district office within 10 school business days of receiving this letter. If you do not request a hearing within this time frame, you give up your right to a hearing. A hearing will determine if your child has the required vaccinations, is in the process of getting vaccinated, or has a medical, personal, or religious exemption. 

About HPV Immunization

  • Washington State law requires that parents/guardians of students in grade 6th-12th be provided information about meningococcal disease and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the availability of a vaccine. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Letter:
  • Meningococcal Disease – this will take you to Department of Health website. Scroll down and look for “HPV and Meningococcal letter (combination)”.

Certificate of Immunization

To attend school students must present a signed Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS). Our district requires that immunization information on the CIS comes from a medical provider. WA State Immunization laws state that the student is in compliance if they are:

  • Fully immunized or
  • In process of getting immunized
  • Has a completed Certificate of Exemption

Medically verified immunization records are required for school and child care entry

Please provide Seattle Public Schools with a Medically Verified Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) Form. 

Medically Verified Form is:

  • Official lifetime immunization record with a provider stamp or signature.
  • Official immigration immunization record.
  • Immunization record printed from a healthcare provider, clinic, or hospital.
  • Written immunization record with a provider stamp or signature.
  • Immunization record printed from the Washington Immunization Information System (WA IIS).

Examples of Medically Verified Records Flier (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

Check the Department of Health website for more information on immunization requirements.

Certificate of Immunization Checklist

  • Certificate of Immunization (CIS) form is signed by parent/guardian.
  • Be sure the student’s name and birth date are legible!
  • If you have it, please write the student ID number in the upper left corner.
  • Send the Certificate of Immunization (CIS) form to your child’s school or to Student Health Services:Seattle Public Schools
    Health Services MS 31-650
    P.O. Box 34165
    Seattle, WA 98134
    Fax: 206-252-0751
    Email: immunizations@seattleschools.org

Vaccine Records

How do I obtain a copy of my student’s immunization records?


Immunizations for SPS Graduates

More information: