Utah School and Childcare Employee Immunization Recommendations
Educational institutions and childcare facilities are potential high-risk areas for transmission of vaccine-
preventable diseases. While immunization is an important health requirement for students in Utah schools
and childcare facilities, it is equally important for staff in these settings to be protected against vaccine-
preventable diseases. Employee immunization can decrease the number of days teachers, staff and
students miss due to illness. Absence due to sickness causes disruption in class schedules resulting in
missed educational learning opportunities. Most importantly, teachers, staff and students who come to
school sick can spread disease, suffer pain, and discomfort. Additionally, vaccine-preventable disease
outbreaks in school and childcare settings can result in enormous costs for staff, students, parents,
employers and public health.
The Utah Department of Health recommends that prior to employment in Utah schools and licensed
childcare facilities, all full- and part-time employees, including teachers, substitute teachers, student
teachers, and staff, show proof of vaccination against: measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, tetanus,
diphtheria, pertussis, influenza, varicella, and hepatitis A. This recommendation is in accordance with the
recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices (ACIP). School districts and childcare facilities are encouraged to keep
employee vaccination records on file.*
Recommended Immunizations For Teachers and Childcare Staff
1
Vaccine
Persons Born Before 1957
Persons Born In or After 1957
MMR
2
(Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
1 dose for women of childbearing age
and for all adults not born in the U.S.
2 doses of MMR, at least 1 month apart
Varicella (Chickenpox)
3
2 doses
Hepatitis A
2 doses
Hepatitis B
4
3 doses
Td/Tdap
5
(Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
[Whooping Cough])
1 dose of Tdap, then Td booster every 10 years
Influenza
Annual influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older
1
All full- and part-time teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers and staff.
2
Proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella is recommended for staff of licensed group and family childcare centers.
MMR vaccine is recommended for teachers and staff in other school settings.
3
Varicella vaccine is recommended for those who do not have documentation of age-appropriate immunization, a reliable
history of varicella disease (physician diagnosis or personal recall) or serologic evidence of immunity.
4
Federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require some employers to offer hepatitis B
vaccine to childcare staff whose responsibilities include first aid.
5
All adults should receive a single dose of Tdap, especially those who have close contact with infants less than 12 months
of age (e.g., childcare staff). There is no minimum interval between Tdap and a previous dose of Td.
*The Utah Statewide Immunization Information System (USIIS) is a statewide information immunization system that contains
immunization histories for Utah residents of all ages. Many school districts and childcare facilities are enrolled in USIIS.
Employers can input and maintain their staff immunization status through USIIS. For more information on how to enroll in USIIS,
please contact the Utah Immunization Program at 801-538-9450.
Utah Department of Health
July 2011
