Hawai‘i Department of Health announces new school immunization requirements to begin July 1, 2020
HONOLULU – Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, additional immunizations will be
required for students entering preschool, kindergarten through grade 12, and
colleges/universities in Hawai‘i. The new state requirements for school entry will begin on July 1,
2020. Students who are up-to-date with their vaccinations in accordance with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national recommendations will be in compliance with the
new requirements.
“The state’s new updated school vaccination requirements follow current national
recommendations and reflect what is already occurring in healthcare providers’ offices and
clinics in Hawai‘i as standard medical practice,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson. “These
requirements protect not only the health of our students but their families and our communities
as well. Ensuring our students are vaccinated provides protection for those who are too young
to be vaccinated and those with medical conditions, such as cancer, who cannot be
immunized.”
All students entering schools in Hawai‘i for the first time must meet the state’s new immunization
requirements. In addition, before the first day of school year 2020-2021, all seventh grade
students must provide documentation of having received:
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
• HPV (human papillomavirus vaccine)
• MCV (meningococcal conjugate vaccine)
For a complete list of required vaccines, visit http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/vaccinesimmunizations/school-health-requirements/sy-20-21/.
Parents whose children are behind on their immunizations are encouraged to contact their
healthcare provider for catch-up vaccinations as soon as possible. DOH will be conducting a
statewide awareness campaign to inform parents, schools, and healthcare providers about the
new state requirements; the campaign will launch later this year.
All states require children to be vaccinated against certain infectious diseases as a condition for
school and childcare attendance. The State of Hawai‘i continues to recognize exemptions to the
immunization requirements for medical and religious reasons. Philosophical or personal belief
exemptions are not allowed in the State of Hawai‘i.
Read the press release here.