Amid the flurry of back-to-school excitement, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is reminding parents about required vaccinations.

The required immunizations in Kansas are based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is part of the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the consensus of the Governor’s Child Health Advisory Committee Immunization Workgroup, according to the health department.

The requirements for students in kindergarten through grade 12 for the 2013-2014 school year are:

Five doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, or DTaP

Four doses of Poliomyelitis, or IPV/OPV

Two doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Three doses of Hepatitis B through grade 12

Two doses of Varicella (chickenpox) required for grades K-4 and 7-9, and one dose required for grades 5-6 and 10-12.

In addition to these requirements, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends immunizations that are not required for school entry:

One dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) at age 11, with a booster dose at age 16.

Three doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at age 11.

A yearly vaccination of Influenza for all ages above 6 months.

For more information go to kdheks.gov/immunize