Medical Requirements for School Entry

Pennsylvania law requires that children upon entry into school or transferring from out of state or out of country must have a physical examination and dental examination. The Department of Health, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has directed that all children entering school for the first time (Kindergarten or first grade) shall have a puncture type test for tuberculosis or a Medically Certified Risk Factor Assessment. This regulation also applies to students transferring into our school district from out of state, out of country or in state where transferred School Health Records do not meet these criteria. This requirement includes children attending public, private, and parochial schools in Springfield Township.

In addition, Pennsylvania law requires that all children entering public, private, and parochial schools in the Commonwealth must have the following specific immunizations before entry:

1. Diphtheria - Tetanus (DPT, TD or DT) Vaccine - 4 or more properly spaced doses, one of which has to have been administered on or after the 4th birthday.
2. Polio Vaccine - 3 or more properly spaced doses.
3. Measles (Rubeola) Vaccine - 2 doses, the first administered no sooner than 12 months of age, or a blood test showing immunity.
4. German Measles (Rubella) Vaccine - 1 dose, the first administered no sooner than 12 months of age, or a blood test showing immunity.
5. Mumps Vaccine - 1 dose, the first administered no sooner than 12 months of age, or a signed statement from a physician stating that the child has had the disease.
6. Hepatitus B Vaccine - 3 properly spaced doses for those entering Kindergarten, first and seventh grades.
7. Varicella - For those entering Kindergarten, first and seventh grades. Immunization or proof of disease required.
   

Physical examinations, dental examinations, and tuberculin tests done after September 10th of the year preceding school entry meet the State Health Regulations. We encourage you to have these procedures completed by your family doctor and dentist who are familiar with your child's health history. Please have the appropriate forms completed and return them to your child's assigned school in an envelope marked, "Attention School Nurse" on or before the opening of school in September.