Florida requires core vaccines for school entry such as DTaP, IPV, MMR, Hepatitis B, and varicella, plus one Tdap dose before 7th grade. Every child needs a Florida Certification of Immunization, known as Form DH 680, on file with their school. Medical and religious exemptions exist, so your next step is simple: check your child’s record in Florida SHOTS or request a certified DH 680 from your provider or county health department.
TL;DR:
- Dose counts vary by age and timing: DTaP requires 4 or 5, IPV 3 to 5, MMR usually 2, and varicella 1 or 2.
- Kindergarten doses may need repeating if given before the fourth birthday, while students entering seventh grade need one documented Tdap dose.
- Transfer students have 30 school days to submit records, but missing the deadline can keep a child out of class until paperwork is resolved.
- A physician completes Form DH 680 for medical exemptions, while the county health department issues Form DH 681 for religious exemptions before school entry.
- Request a certified DH 680 through Florida SHOTS or your county health department, and print it promptly because emailed links and PIN access can expire.
Table of Contents
- Vaccines required for school entry: quick reference and typical dose counts
- Grade-specific rules and the 7th-grade Tdap requirement
- Exemptions and forms: how medical and religious exemptions work
- How to get certified immunization records in Florida
- Timing and planning: when to schedule shots, school physicals, and paperwork
- Recent rule changes and news: what the 2026 updates mean for parents now
- If you plan to refuse vaccination or seek an exemption
- Practical school enrollment checklist for Florida parents
- A local clinic’s view on school vaccine paperwork season
- Getting your child’s DH 680 and required vaccines without the wait
- FAQ
- Sources
Vaccines required for school entry: quick reference and typical dose counts
Florida’s required immunization schedule covers five vaccines for most grade levels, with dose counts that depend on your child’s age and when each shot was given.
- DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis): typically 4 or 5 doses depending on timing.
- IPV (polio): typically 3 to 5 doses, with specific rules about doses given before age 4.
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): usually 2 doses, the standard requirement statewide.
- Hepatitis B: usually 2 or 3 doses, with an alternate 2-dose schedule available for some adolescents.
- Varicella (chickenpox): usually 1 or 2 doses, unless your child has a documented history of the disease.
The full list of required vaccines and exact dose counts is published by the Florida Department of Health, and it is worth checking directly if your child’s shot record looks incomplete or was started in another state.
Grade-specific rules and the 7th-grade Tdap requirement
Kindergarten entry has its own timing quirks. Some doses only count if they were given on or after your child’s fourth birthday, so a shot given early in life might need a booster before enrollment.
- Kindergartners need their DTaP, IPV, MMR, Hepatitis B, and varicella series complete, with age-specific timing checked by your provider or county health department.
- Students entering 7th grade need one documented dose of Tdap, which boosts waning pertussis immunity right as kids head into middle school.
- Transfer students get a 30-school-day temporary allowance to submit records, under Florida Statutes Section 1003.22, which also gives the Department of Health authority to set these rules.
If your family is moving between Florida counties or in from another state, that 30-day window buys you time, but it is not a reason to wait until the deadline. Missing paperwork at day 31 can mean your child is held out of class until records are sorted.
Exemptions and forms: how medical and religious exemptions work
Florida recognizes two exemption paths, and both require specific paperwork completed by the right person, not just a note from a parent.
- Medical exemptions are documented on Form DH 680, completed by a licensed physician. Part B covers temporary exemptions with an expiration date; Part C covers permanent ones with supporting clinical documentation.
- Religious exemptions use Form DH 681, issued by a county health department, and it must be presented before your child enters, attends, or transfers into a school.
- Temporary medical exemptions need follow-up scheduling before they lapse, and schools expect updated paperwork once the expiration date passes.
Pro Tip: Keep a copy of every exemption form at home in addition to the one filed with your school, since records occasionally get lost during transfers between schools or districts.
How to get certified immunization records in Florida
Most Florida kids already have a record sitting in Florida SHOTS, the state’s immunization registry, which means getting a certified DH 680 is often faster than parents expect.
- Ask your child’s provider whether their shots are already logged in Florida SHOTS and request a certified DH 680 print directly from the system.
- Contact your county health department if your provider does not have SHOTS access; they can issue a certified DH 680 or provide you with a SHOTS PIN to print one yourself.
- If you receive a PIN or an encrypted link by email, open and print it right away.
Certified DH 680 forms generated through Florida SHOTS reflect the official record used by schools statewide, and PIN-based or emailed deliveries can expire shortly after issuance, so test access immediately instead of saving the request for later.
Timing and planning: when to schedule shots, school physicals, and paperwork
Vaccines and school physicals take real scheduling, especially with county health departments and pediatric offices filling up every August.
- Book immunizations and school-entry physicals in late spring or early summer, months ahead of the first day of class, not the week before.
- Use the 30-school-day transfer window as a safety net for families relocating, not as a reason to delay routine scheduling.
- If your child needs a same-day DH 680 or a quick immunization before registration closes, a walk-in clinic can often get you seen without a long wait.
Pro Tip: Schedule school physicals and immunizations together in one visit whenever possible, since both are often needed for the same enrollment deadline.
Recent rule changes and news: what the 2026 updates mean for parents now
News coverage in August 2026 reported that Florida’s Department of Health moved to remove four vaccines from the state’s required school list.
- Reports on the rule change did not remove the core vaccines parents rely on for daily school attendance.
- State law under Section 1003.22 and DOH rule 64D-3.046 continues to require MMR, polio, and DTaP/Tdap as implemented through current guidance.
- Confirm how any administrative changes apply to your specific school or county by calling your county health department or school district directly, since implementation details can vary.
If you plan to refuse vaccination or seek an exemption
Submitting a religious exemption means picking up Form DH 681 from your county health department before your child’s first day, entry, or transfer. A medical exemption requires your physician to complete Part B or Part C of the DH 680.
- Schools can temporarily exclude unvaccinated or exempt students during a declared communicable disease outbreak, depending on district policy.
- Call your school nurse and county health department early so there are no surprises at drop-off.
Practical school enrollment checklist for Florida parents
Before registration day, gather what your school will actually ask to see.
- A certified DH 680 immunization form, current and signed.
- Your child’s school-entry physical paperwork, completed within the required window.
- Any exemption forms, DH 680 Part B or C, or DH 681, if applicable.
- Out-of-state immunization records, transferred into Florida SHOTS ahead of time.
Keep your school nurse, county health department, and your child’s provider on speed dial during enrollment week. Request your SHOTS PIN early, schedule any missing vaccines or physicals now, and bring the certified DH 680 with you rather than mailing it in.
Pro Tip: Call ahead to confirm which forms your specific school accepts electronically versus in print, since some districts still require a paper original.
If you suspect a feeding, speech, or developmental concern alongside your vaccine paperwork, local pediatric therapy resources can be a helpful next stop for additional support.
A local clinic’s view on school vaccine paperwork season
Every August, we watch the same pattern play out: parents discover at registration that a form is missing or a dose is outdated. Families who come in for same-day immunizations or a certified DH 680 almost always wish they had called a few weeks earlier instead of the week school started.
— Lisa
Getting your child’s DH 680 and required vaccines without the wait
We issue certified DH 680 forms and provide same-day immunizations and school physicals for families, with walk-ins welcome and appointments available when you want to plan ahead.
Bring any prior immunization records you have, including out-of-state paperwork, and we can help fill in the gaps quickly. Call ahead or book your child’s school physical online to get the DH 680 and remaining shots handled before registration deadlines close in.
This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a qualified doctor. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about your own circumstances before acting on anything here.
FAQ
Are Florida schools no longer required to vaccinate children?
No. Florida law under Section 1003.22 still requires students to show proof of core immunizations before enrolling. Recent news coverage addressed changes to specific vaccines on the state’s administrative list, but schools continue to require a certified DH 680 for attendance.
Can I refuse to vaccinate my child in Florida?
You can seek a medical exemption through Form DH 680 or a religious exemption through Form DH 681, issued by your county health department. Without an approved exemption on file, your child’s school can restrict enrollment until the required immunizations or paperwork are complete.
What are the new guidelines for child vaccines?
News reports from August 2026 described Florida’s Department of Health removing four vaccines from the required school list, but core vaccines like MMR, polio, and DTaP/Tdap remain mandated under current statute and rule. Check with your county health department for how any changes apply to your child’s specific grade.
What if I refuse to vaccinate my child?
Without an approved medical or religious exemption on file, your child’s school may delay or restrict enrollment until the required vaccines or paperwork are provided. During a declared communicable disease outbreak, schools can also temporarily exclude unvaccinated students from class under district policy.
Sources
- Child Immunizations – Florida Department of Health
- Immunization exemptions – Florida Department of Health
- Immunization information systems: Florida SHOTS context (CDC overview)
- Florida Statutes Section 1003.22 (2026)
