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Immunizations Required for School Entry in South Dakota

South Dakota law (SDCL 13-28-7.1) requires students entering school or early childhood programs to present certification that they have been adequately immunized, according to the recommendations of the Department of Health. The law applies to all children entering school for the first time, including transfer students. Minimum immunization requirements are defined as:

  1. Four or more doses of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus containing vaccine, with at lease one dose administered on or after age 4.  Children 7 and older needing the primary series are required to have Td and only need three doses, with at least 6 months between dose two and three.  If the child is 11 or older, the first dose of the primary series should be Tdap and the second and third doses should be Td, with at least 6 months between dose two and three.  Children receiving more than 6 doses before age 4 do not require any additional doses for school requirements.
  2. 3 or more doses of poliovirus vaccine, at least 1 dose on or after age 4; or 4 or more doses of any combination of OPV/IPV given by 4 years of age.
  3. At least 2 doses of a measles-containing vaccine separated by at least 28 days, on or after 1st birthday. 2nd dose usually given as a measles/mumps/rubella vaccination.
  4. At least 2 doses of a rubella-containing vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, on or after 1st birthday.
  5. At least 2 doses of a mumps-containing vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, on or after 1st birthday.
  6. NOTE:  Additional immunization requirement for kindergarten entry only (including students repeating kindergarten): Effective August 2007, two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine administered after the age of 12 months, or history of disease. Parental history is acceptable, and physician documentation is not necessary.

NOTE: Haemophilus Influenzae B, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and  Pneumococcal vaccines are recommended but not required.

Contact the South Dakota Department of Health, Immunization Program, at 1-800-592-1861 (in SD only), or email with your questions. (Complete schedule of recommended childhood immunizations - use ADOBE to view this file from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)