Immunization Requirements for School
Message from Oneida County Health Department
July 20, 2026
Dear Providers,
Now that the school year has ended, many families are focused on summer plans and are not yet considering preparations for the new school year in September.
As healthcare providers we know that many children need vaccinations to enter kindergarten, middle school, high school and college. It is our purview to assure that all these students obtain these vaccinations prior to entering school. The goal is to decrease the number of excluded students, as it is the schools’ responsibility to comply with Public Health Law Section 2164 and associated regulations at 10 NYCRR Subpart 66-1 regarding school immunization and/or immunity coverage. Any student who does not have the required vaccinations, and/or the school has not received vaccination documentation within 14 days of the first day of school, must be excluded from school.
In order to decrease the incidence of student exclusion as well as maintain a healthy school community, we ask that you work with your families in assessing each child’s need for vaccinations and provide opportunities to obtain such vaccinations. The Oneida County Health Department is available to assist you and your families by offering vaccination clinics at our 406 Elizabeth St Utica location and on Tuesdays at our Rome location (100 West Dominick St) throughout the summer months. Use us as a resource and have your patients contact us for appointments at 315-798-5747.
Please get the word out to your parents that completing vaccinations before the school year begins will decrease school and work absence as well as keep our community healthy.
Thank you for all you do.
Clinical Services Division
Oneida County Health Department