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Iowa law requires students to have certain immunizations, vision screenings, and dental screenings before starting school in the fall. Your student will not be able to attend school without proof of the required immunizations and screenings.

Iowa Immunization Requirements for School Entry

Before entering the indicated grade level, the student must have documentation of the required doses of each vaccine listed below. Revised by the Iowa Dept. of Health in July 2024.

Iowa Immunization Law requires that all students entering 7th grade have one dose of both a Meningococcal vaccination and a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis/whooping cough) vaccination before school starts in the fall. 

Iowa law requires all students entering 12th grade to have the Meningococcal (A, C, W, Y) vaccine. 2 doses are required with 1 dose received on or after 16 years of age for students in grade 12. At least one dose must be received before the first day of school in the fall.

The Tdap requirement has been in place since the 2013/14 school year and requires a booster dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis containing vaccine for students entering 7th grade, regardless of the interval since the last Tetanus/Diphtheria containing vaccine. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. 

The meningococcal vaccine has been required since the start of the 2017/18 school year. Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening illness that is caused by bacteria that infects the brain, blood, and spinal cord. It easily spreads in crowded settings. The vaccine is required prior to both the 7th and 12th grades. 

What does this mean for you? You will need to call your physician’s office to make an appointment for these vaccines. You will need to check your home records or call your physician’s office to see what your student’s status is. You may also schedule an appointment for immunizations at Siouxland District Health Department by calling 279-6119 if your student meets one of the following criteria:

• Child has no insurance

• Child is American Indian or Alaska Native

• Child is enrolled in Medicaid

• Child is underinsured (the child has health insurance but the benefit plan does not include immunizations)

Please send a copy of your student’s updated immunization record to the school nurse prior to the first day of school.  

Schedule an Immunization Appointment: 

To schedule a vaccine appointment for your child, please call your family physician. Siouxland District Health is able to provide vaccines to families who are uninsured. To schedule an appointment with Siouxland District Health, please call 712-279-6119.

In addition, pharmacies at Hy-Vee, Walmart, and Walgreens may be able to provide these vaccines. These pharmacies accept most insurance, except Medicaid, and require a prescription from your child’s doctor. In most cases, no appointment is necessary. However, if you need assistance getting a physician order, please call the pharmacy in advance and request assistance. 

To access immunization forms, visit the Medical Forms page.

Iowa Vision Screening Requirements for School Entry

Before entering the indicated grade level, the student must provide documentation of a vision screening. 

Who? Kindergarten & 3rd-Grade Students 

According to Iowa law, all children enrolling in kindergarten and 3rd grade are required to provide evidence of a vision screening no earlier than 1 year prior to enrollment and no more than 6 months after the date of your student’s enrollment. Vision screening forms are available through eye care professional, from your school nurse, or by visiting the Medical Forms page.

Iowa Dental Screening Requirements for School Entry 

Before entering the indicated grade level, the student must provide documentation of a dental screening. 

Who? Kindergarten & 9th-Grade Students 

According to Iowa law, all Iowa children enrolling for the first time in Kindergarten or 9th grade must have a dental screening on file. Screening for kindergarten is valid from 3 years of age to 4 months after the enrollment date and screening for ninth grade is valid from 1 year prior to enrollment to 4 months after the enrollment date.

To access dental screening forms, visit the Medical Forms page. Have a dental hygienist fill out the dental screening form and return the form to your child’s school. 

Families enrolling their children in preschool should have received the following vaccines in accordance with the doses and age requirements listed below.