School and Child Care Immunizations
According to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 432A.230, 432A.235, and Nevada Administrative Codes (NAC) 432A.500-.505, children must prove immunity to Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Poliomyelitis, Rubella, Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Streptococcus Pneumoniae, and Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) prior to admission to a child care or accommodation facility in Nevada, unless excused because of a religious belief or medical condition.
In addition to these requirements, it is also necessary for children being admitted to child care or accommodation facilities in Nevada to receive all required vaccines at the youngest recommended age per the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). For example, the fifth dose of DTaP is recommended between four (4) and six (6) years of age. According to this requirement, a child enrolled in a child care or accommodation facility must receive the fifth dose of DTaP at 4 years old and has 30 days to complete this requirement after their 4th birthday (by 4 years, 30 days old). Please review the table for further examples. Any child who is behind on Nevada's required immunizations must be brought up-to-date utilizing the ACIP Catch Up Schedule to continue to attend the child care/accommodation facility.
Immunizing children at the youngest recommended age when in a child care or accommodation facility further protects the child and their peers at the earliest time possible. For example, the fifth dose of DTaP, when given at four (4) years of age, increases antibody levels and decreases the risk of older children transmitting the disease to younger siblings and/or classmates who are too young to have completed the vaccine series.
Please refer to this immunization schedule / dose requirements below when enrolling children in your facility. Again, please note that under “age required,” there is a 30-day window when the child should complete the requirement. For example, the 3rd dose for Hepatitis B should be completed by 6 months, 30 days old. If they are behind on any requirements, they should complete the ACIP Catch Up Schedule with their pediatrician.
Resources and more information regarding the ACIP immunization schedule can be downloaded at the CDC vaccination webpage.
If you have any questions about Nevada child care immunization requirements, please contact the Nevada State Immunization Program (NSIP) at: nviz@health.nv.gov or call us at: (775) 684-5900. You can also contact Rachel Warner: rwarner@health.nv.gov or Jessica Lamb: jlamb@health.nv.gov.
For more information about school and child care facility immunization requirements, The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) provides resources accessible to the public.