The 2024-2025  school year is approaching, and AJE wants to help families start off the school year smoothly. This means keeping all of your children up to date on immunizations, check-ups to help protect them from preventable diseases, and also documenting those visits and immunizations (including the decision to not immunize). The vaccines required for reentry to DC schools are DTap, MMR, Varicella, Polio, and Hepatitis B, among others.  There are many options available to access vaccines in DC.

Those seeking vaccinations outside of their medical provider and through vaccine events should remember to bring their insurance card to ensure they receive vaccinations at a low or no cost.  For more information about vaccine events and accessing vaccines across the district visit https://dchealth.dc.gov/immunization

School-based Health Centers are available for families of children who are 3 years or older. Additionally, regardless of where your child is enrolled, a parent can seek vaccination-only appointments from a school-based health center. Don’t forget to call ahead and schedule an appointment. To find a list of school-based health centers find them at DC Health https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/school-based-health-centers

School-located and Community Vaccine events are where community providers hold vaccine events at schools, recreation centers, and other community centers to create easier access to vaccinations.  To find more information on immunizations and vaccines across DC visit https://dchealth.dc.gov/immunization

DC Health encourages families to check with their medical provider about vaccination schedules and make the necessary appointments, such as a well-child visit. Well-child visits are important in monitoring your child’s growth, and development to ensure they’re meeting developmental goals and preventing the spread of infectious disease. 

Additionally, families need to make sure they’ve submitted or have all required documents including proof of residency, and health forms such as the Universal Health Certificate and Oral Health Assessment. 

AJE also wants to remind parents that both HPV opt-out forms as well as religious exemptions for immunizations must be submitted each school year. If you need to request a new exemption remember you must follow the process outlined here – Religious Exemption Request Process.

Parents must submit the name of each child, their date of birth, and the school or childcare facility where they are or will be enrolled to: doh.immunization@dc.gov in order to obtain a blank exemption form to complete.

Forms may also be requested in-person, Monday–Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm to:

DC Health
Immunization Division, 5th floor
Community Health Administration
2201 Shannon Place SE,
Washington, DC 20020

REMEMBER – If any families are still looking for a school for the 2024-2025  school year, can apply through  My School-DC post lottery application apply.myschooldc.dc.gov. For additional support, families can contact their school or the My School DC hotline at (202) 888-6336.