This is Part 3 of our five-part Back-to-School Health Series for NYC families. Catch up on Part 1: School Physicals and Part 2: Sports Physicals. Up next: back-to-school bugs. Today: the 2026 immunization rules — and why they matter more this year.
This Year, the Immunization Rules Carry Extra Weight
New York requires that every child be age-appropriately immunized to attend school, daycare, or pre-K — and 2026 is not a year to leave a dose hanging. The United States is in the middle of its largest measles resurgence in a generation, and a disease that was declared eliminated here in 2000 is once again spreading in unvaccinated communities.
Measles in 2026 — by the numbers
- 2,104 confirmed U.S. measles cases reported across 41 jurisdictions as of mid-June 2026 — already approaching the 2,288 cases seen in all of 2025.
- 13 confirmed cases in New York State so far this year, including 6 in New York City.
- About 92% of 2026 cases involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
Sources: CDC Measles Cases and Outbreaks; New York State Department of Health.
The reassuring part: the measles vaccine works extremely well. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. If your child is behind, catching up is quick — and we can do it the same day as a school physical.
What New York Requires for School in 2026
New York State sets the immunization requirements for all schools — public, private, and parochial — based on the CDC’s recommended schedule. The exact doses depend on your child’s age and grade, but the required vaccines include:
| Vaccine | Protects against |
|---|---|
| DTaP / Tdap | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) |
| IPV | Polio |
| MMR | Measles, mumps, rubella |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B |
| Varicella | Chickenpox |
| PCV (pneumococcal) | Pneumococcal disease (younger children) |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b (daycare/pre-K age) |
| MenACWY | Meningococcal disease (required grades 7–12) |
Source: New York State Department of Health, 2025–26 School Immunization Requirements. Exact dose counts vary by age and grade — confirm your child’s specifics with the provider.
A couple of grade-specific notes for 2026
- Tdap (grades 6–11): only a dose given at age 10 or older satisfies the requirement.
- MenACWY: required to enter grade 7, with a booster for grade 12.
No Nonmedical Exemptions in New York
This trips up a lot of families new to the state. Since 2019, New York does not allow religious or other nonmedical exemptions from school vaccine requirements. The only exemption is a medical one, which requires documentation from a licensed physician explaining why a specific vaccine would be harmful to that child.
Children who are behind aren’t automatically locked out, but the grace period is short: an unvaccinated or overdue student generally must receive the first dose of each missing vaccine within 14 days of starting school, and stay on schedule for the remaining doses. In other words — don’t wait for the school nurse’s letter. Catch up now.
Catching Up Is Easier Than You Think
If your child has missed doses — whether from a move, a gap in care, or pandemic-era delays — you don’t have to start the whole series over. Providers use a CDC “catch-up schedule” that counts doses your child already received and spaces out only what’s still needed.
At AG Urgent Care we can, in most cases:
- Review your child’s immunization record and identify exactly what’s missing
- Administer required catch-up vaccines the same visit
- Document everything on the CH-205 and update the state registry
- Complete the school physical at the same time
Frequently Asked Questions
My child missed the MMR. Is it too late?
Not at all. The MMR can be given at any age if doses are missing, and a single dose offers strong protection while the series is completed. If you’re traveling abroad or live in an area with active cases, ask us about timing — protection starts building within a couple of weeks.
Can you give vaccines without a full physical?
In most cases yes — but back-to-school season is the perfect time to combine the two, since the CH-205 has to be on file anyway. One visit, both done.
Are vaccines covered by insurance?
Most plans cover required childhood vaccines in full, and New York’s Vaccines for Children program covers eligible uninsured and underinsured kids. Ask the front desk about your coverage when you check in.
Is the MMR vaccine safe?
Yes. The MMR is one of the most studied vaccines in history, with decades of safety data and no credible link to autism. Two doses are about 97% effective against measles. Side effects are usually mild — a sore arm or low-grade fever.
What if I’ve lost my child’s vaccine records?
Bring whatever you have. For children vaccinated in New York, providers can often look up the record in the state’s Citywide Immunization Registry and rebuild the history from there.
Do you offer flu shots for the school year?
Yes — and fall is the time to get one. While the flu shot isn’t a school requirement, it’s strongly recommended for school-age kids and the whole household.
Coming Up in Part 4
Next: Back-to-School Bugs — Strep, Lice, Pink Eye & Hand-Foot-Mouth. The classroom is a germ superhighway. We’ll cover how to spot each one, how long to keep kids home, and when to walk in.
Behind on a Vaccine? Catch Up Today.
Don’t wait for the nurse’s letter. Walk into any AG Urgent Care location in Brooklyn or Queens — we’ll review your child’s record, give any catch-up vaccines, and complete the school physical in the same visit. No appointment needed, most insurance accepted.
Visit our Bushwick, Flatbush Junction, Brownsville, Canarsie, or Jamaica, Queens location, or check in online to save your spot.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. Immunization requirements and case counts are subject to change; confirm current rules with the NYC Department of Education and your child’s provider. In a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.