With the 2025-2026 school year just a month away, the Alexandria Health Department is urging parents to get their children’s school-required vaccinations.
“Scheduling vaccine appointments early makes it easier to find an appointment that fits your schedule,” Alexandria Health Department Director Dr. David Rose said, “and vaccines protect our children from getting sick and being sidelined from school and activities later on.”
AHD administers vaccines for all ages at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive), and for kids 12-19 at the Teen Wellness Center at Alexandria City High School. Vaccines are also available through doctors, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers.
Rose stated that the health department is monitoring the surge in measles cases worldwide this year. There have been three cases reported in Virginia this year, and more than 1,300 cases have been reported around the country.
“Many of us have seen the frightening news about measles outbreaks,” Rose said. “AHD is monitoring the situation closely, but the best thing people can do is to get their children the recommended 2-dose MMR vaccine series. It’s always great to see families going out and getting these vaccines to protect their kids and our city.”
AHD offers evening appointments on Mondays and will be available on August 13, 20, and 27 (all Wednesdays) this summer. Call 703-746-4888 to make an appointment.
Below is a list of mandatory vaccines and their minimum requirements.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, or Tdap): A minimum of 4 properly spaced doses. A child must have at least one dose of DTaP or DTP vaccine on or after the fourth birthday. DT (Diphtheria, Tetanus) vaccine is required for children who are medically exempt from the pertussis-containing vaccine (DTaP or DTP). Adult Td is required for children 7 years of age and older who do not meet the minimum requirements for tetanus and diphtheria. Effective July 1, 2019, a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine is required for all children entering the 7th grade.
- Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY): Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of MenACWY vaccine. The first dose should be administered prior to entering 7th grade. The final dose should be administered prior to entering 12th grade.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Effective July 1, 2021, a complete series of 2 doses of HPV vaccine is required. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters the 7th grade. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parent’s or guardian’s sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
- Hepatitis B: A complete series of 3 properly spaced doses of hepatitis B vaccine are required for all children. However, the FDA has approved a 2-dose schedule ONLY for adolescents 11-15 years of age AND ONLY when the Merck Brand (RECOMBIVAX HB) Adult Formulation Hepatitis B Vaccine is used. If the 2-dose schedule is used for adolescents 11-15 years of age it must be clearly documented on the school form.
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella: A minimum of 2 measles, 2 mumps, and 1 rubella. (Most children receive 2 doses of each because the vaccine usually administered is the combination vaccine MMR). The first dose must be administered at age 12 months or older. The second dose of vaccine must be administered prior to entering kindergarten but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2.
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib): This vaccine is required ONLY for children up to 60 months of age. A primary series consists of either 2 or 3 doses (depending on the manufacturer). However, the child’s current age and not the number of prior doses received govern the number of doses required. Unvaccinated children between the ages of 15 and 60 months are only required to have one dose of vaccine.
- Pneumococcal (PCV): This vaccine is required ONLY for children less than 60 months of age. One to four doses, dependent on age at first dose, of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, are required.
- Rotavirus: This vaccine is required ONLY for children less than 8 months of age. Effective July 1, 2021, 2 or 3 doses of Rotavirus Vaccine (dependent upon the manufacturer) is required.
- Polio (IPV): A minimum of 4 doses of polio vaccine. One dose must be administered on or after the fourth birthday.
- Varicella (Chickenpox): All children born on and after January 1, 1997, shall be required to have one dose of chickenpox vaccine administered at age 12 months or older. Effective March 3, 2010, a second dose must be administered prior to entering kindergarten but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2.
- Hepatitis A (HAV): Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of Hepatitis A vaccine. The first dose should be administered at age 12 months or older.
