South Dakota school enrollment requires documented proof of immunization under SDCL 13-28-7.1, including a Hepatitis A requirement at kindergarten that many transferring families haven't encountered. This page covers exactly which records Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Brookings schools will ask for — and how to get them ready through SDIIS.
Last verified: September 3, 2026
Under SDCL 13-28-7.1, no child may enroll in a South Dakota school without presenting proof of immunization in accordance with the schedule adopted by the South Dakota Department of Health. The certificate is typically a printed record from the child's healthcare provider or from SDIIS, South Dakota's immunization registry.
The immunization certificate must show dated dose records for each of the following vaccine groups:
Hepatitis A is required for kindergarten entry in South Dakota. The 2-dose series requires a minimum of 6 months between doses. Families transferring from states that do not include Hep A in their school schedule should confirm both doses are documented before attempting kindergarten enrollment in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, or any South Dakota school.
Source: South Dakota Department of Health — School Immunization Requirements; SDCL 13-28-7.1, accessed September 3, 2026
SDIIS (South Dakota Immunization Information System) is South Dakota's statewide immunization registry, managed by the South Dakota Department of Health. Healthcare providers who administer vaccines in South Dakota report doses to SDIIS electronically. An SDIIS printout is accepted by South Dakota schools as an official immunization record.
Your child's primary care provider can access SDIIS directly and print a complete immunization history. This is the fastest path to a school-ready record. If you're new to South Dakota, your new provider will enter out-of-state doses into SDIIS after reviewing your existing records.
The SD Department of Health's immunization program can assist with SDIIS access and record verification. Local public health units throughout the state can look up SDIIS records and administer catch-up vaccines if needed.
Source: doh.sd.gov — School Immunization Requirements, accessed September 3, 2026
If doses were administered outside South Dakota, bring paper records or a prior state registry printout to your first South Dakota provider appointment. They can verify doses and enter them into SDIIS, then issue a South Dakota-compliant immunization certificate for school enrollment. Hep A is the most commonly missing dose for families arriving from states that don't mandate it.
Full immunization certificate required, including the Hep A 2-dose series. Sioux Falls School District, Rapid City Area Schools, and Aberdeen Central School District all require the immunization record at or before enrollment. South Dakota allows provisional enrollment while the immunization series is being completed — the school will set a compliance timeline. Contact your specific school for the provisional period rules.
Two new documented doses required at 7th grade entry: Tdap booster (given on or after the 10th birthday) and MenACWY (first dose). Both must appear on the immunization certificate submitted to the school. Schedule these in late spring or summer before 7th grade so records are ready before fall enrollment opens.
Transfer students from other states must meet South Dakota's requirements. Hep A is the most frequently missing dose for transfers. A South Dakota provider or health department can review out-of-state records and issue a South Dakota-compliant SDIIS printout for the new school.
Source: South Dakota DOH — Immunization; SDCL 13-28-7.1, accessed September 3, 2026
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Under SDCL 13-28-7.1, South Dakota allows medical exemptions (signed by a licensed physician) and religious exemptions (signed statement from parent or guardian). Contact South Dakota Department of Health — Immunization Program → for official exemption forms and process.
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