Which Vaccines Are Required for School in Montana?

Getting your child ready for the school year involves many preparations, from buying supplies to ensuring they meet all health requirements. Montana state law mandates specific immunizations for school-age children, and these requirements help protect the entire school community from preventable diseases.

To ensure your child starts school healthy and on time, make sure they get all the vaccines required for school in Montana. If you need help keeping your child up-to-date on vaccinations, contact your nearest CHP clinic to schedule an appointment for free or low-cost vaccines.

Vaccines Required for School in Montana

According to Montana's official requirements, all children must receive specific vaccinations before attending preschool through 12th grade. The exact number of doses varies depending on your child's age and grade level, with preschoolers having slightly different requirements than elementary and high school students.

These required vaccines include five core immunizations that protect against serious diseases:

• Haemophilus influenza Type B (Hib): This vaccine is required only for preschoolers. 1 dose must be given on or after the child's first birthday (unless the child is older than 59 months, when it's not needed).

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap): Preschoolers need 4 doses, while K-12 students need 4 doses (with one given on or after the 4th birthday) plus an additional Tdap dose before entering 7th grade.

• Polio (IPV or OPV): All students are required to receive 3 doses, with 1 dose given on or after their 4th birthday for K-12 students.

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Preschoolers need 1 dose (given on or after 1st birthday), while K-12 students need 2 doses with 4-week spacing between them.

• Varicella "Chickenpox" (Var): Preschoolers need 1 dose (given on or after their 1st birthday). K-12 students need 2 doses, with 12-week spacing for children under 13 years and 4-week spacing for children over 13 years.

The State of Montana also requires vaccines to enroll in licensed childcare programs. Some may start as early as 3 months of age to qualify for attendance.

Age-Specific Requirements for Vaccines in Montana

Preschool Requirements (children 5 years and younger):

• 1 dose Hib vaccine (after 1st birthday, unless over 59 months old)

• 4 doses DTaP vaccine

• 3 doses Polio vaccine

• 1 dose MMR vaccine (after 1st birthday)

• 1 dose Varicella vaccine (after 1st birthday)

Kindergarten through 12th Grade Requirements:

• No Hib vaccine needed

• 4 doses DTaP (one after 4th birthday) plus 1 Tdap dose before 7th grade

• 3 doses Polio (one after 4th birthday)

• 2 doses MMR (first after 1st birthday, 4 weeks apart)

• 2 doses Varicella (specific spacing based on age)

Important Timing and Vaccination Spacing Rules

Montana follows strict guidelines for spacing between vaccines. MMR and Varicella vaccines must be given on or after the first birthday to be considered valid. For children under 13 years old, Varicella doses must be spaced 12 weeks apart, while those over 13 need only 4 weeks between doses.

The state allows a 4-day grace period for vaccine timing, following Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) recommendations. This flexibility helps accommodate scheduling challenges while maintaining safety standards.

Special Vaccine Requirements for 7th Graders

An important requirement that parents often overlook is the Tdap booster shot required before entering 7th grade. This requirement went into effect on October 1, 2015, and ensures that adolescents maintain protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis during their teenage years when immunity from childhood vaccines may be waning.

Vaccine Exemptions and Alternatives

Montana allows documentation of valid medical or religious exemptions in lieu of receiving all vaccines required for school. Medical exemptions must be completed by a physician for cases where vaccination poses health risks. Religious exemptions require notarized forms submitted annually to schools.

Conditional enrollment is another option for students who are in the process of completing their vaccination series. This allows children to attend school while catching up on missed doses, provided they follow an approved catch-up schedule.

Vaccine Documentation for School

Schools require official documentation proving your child has received all vaccines required for school. This typically means presenting a completed State of Montana Certificate of Immunization signed by a healthcare provider or health department. Keep these records safe and accessible, as you'll need them for school registration each year.

Optional but Recommended Vaccines for School in Montana

While Montana doesn't require all vaccines for school attendance, health experts recommend additional immunizations to protect your child's health:

• Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccine. This helps prevent seasonal influenza, which can cause serious illness and result in missed school days.

• COVID-19 Vaccine: Updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for people 6 months and older. While not required for school, these vaccines help protect against severe illness and are now considered routine preventive care.

• Hepatitis A and B: Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B protect against liver infections and are part of routine childhood immunizations recommended by pediatricians and the CDC.

• Meningococcal Vaccines: These vaccines, particularly important for adolescents and college-bound students, prevent serious bacterial infections that can be life-threatening. The CDC recommends that all adolescents take the Meningococcal vaccination.

Take Action Today: Get Vaccines Required for School

If your child needs any required vaccinations, our CHP clinics provide comprehensive immunization services in Belgrade, Bozeman, and Livingston. Don’t wait until the last moment! Our experienced healthcare providers can review your child's immunization history, identify missing vaccines, and create an appropriate catch-up schedule if needed.

Families can access vaccines for free or at low cost at any CHP clinic, including the convenient Panther Clinic located inside Belgrade Middle School.

Contact your nearest CHP clinic today to schedule a vaccination appointment and get your child ready for a healthy, successful school year.