School Entry Immunization Requirements
In accordance with Florida Statute §1003.22, before entering or attending school in Florida—Pre‑Kindergarten through Grade 12—each child must have a completed Florida Certification of Immunization (DH 680) on file. This form documents that the student has met the minimum immunization requirements established by the State of Florida.
The DH 680 must be submitted prior to school entry and kept current. Students without a valid certification on file may not be permitted to attend school, as required by state law.
With parent/guardian approval, the registered school nurse may assist in obtaining a DH 680 if a copy of the child’s immunization record is provided (records must be in English). Medical and religious exemptions are accepted only when documented on the appropriate state‑approved forms.
Below are the minimum state requirements:
- Four to Five doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTP)
- Three to five doses of the polio vaccine
- Two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR)
- Three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine
- Two doses of varicella vaccine
- Seventh Grade or above: In addition to all other compulsory school immunizations, children entering, attending, or transferring to the seventh grade in Florida schools are required to complete one dose of the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine (Tdap).
If your student is unable to be fully immunized due to a medical condition, a medical provider must document a Permanent Medical Exemption on Form DH 680.
The County Health Department may issue a religious exemption Form DH 681 if you, as a parent/guardian, or your student have a religious tenet or practice that prohibits your student from receiving the required immunizations.
For any additional information on the different types of exemptions, please go to the Florida Department of Health Website Exemption from Required Immunization.
If you have any questions concerning required immunizations or exemptions, please get in touch with your registered school nurse or school health supervisor.
For more information on immunization and registration requirements for a Pre-Kindergarten or Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten student, please go to the Early Childhood Website.
School Entry Health Examination
Students in pre-kindergarten through 12 grade who are making their initial entry into a Florida school must present a record of a physical examination completed within the past 12 months. The school entry health exam must be completed by a health care provider licensed to perform a physical examination and should be taken to the child's school upon enrollment. Although a specific form is not required, it is recommended that Florida's standardized School Entry Health Exam form (DH3040-CHP-07/2013) be used to document the completion of a physical examination.
For students transferring to a Florida school, a comparable form from another state would also be acceptable if performed by a healthcare provider licensed to perform physical exams and completed within one year before enrollment.
- School Entry Health Exam Form: DH3040-CHP-07-2013 Form
- School Entry Health Exam Instructions: DH3040-CHP-07/2013 Instructions
Emergency Cards
Emergency cards are required to be filled out each school year by a parent/guardian. You can now access your student(s) emergency card through your mystudent parent portal. The first time you access your parent portal at the beginning of each school year or after registering your student for the first time you will be asked to fill out the emergency card and parent consent paperwork.
Additional information on the parent bill of rights can be found on the District School Board of Pasco County's Parent Bill of Rights page.
Resources for School Entry Physicals and Immunizations
Pasco Department of Health in collaboration with Pasco's School Health Team are offering free physicals. If your child needs a school entry physical please call the school health secretary @ 813-794-2360 for an appointment. We are offering free physicals at the following locations: Pasco High School (Dade), Fivay High School (Hudson), Gulfside Elementary School (Holiday - moving to Anclote High School in 26-27 SY) and District Site (Land O Lakes) on a rotating monthly basis.
Hudson Community Health and Resource Center (physicals, immunizations, dental, and mental health):
In-Person Visits: Monday - Friday: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. ~ Closed 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm for lunch.
To make an appointment at the Hudson Community Health and Resource Center please call 352-760-9032.
If you have further questions regarding registering your student or filling out your student's emergency card, please go to the District School Board of Pasco County Website Registration page.
Revised 05/2026
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