{"id":392472,"date":"2026-02-18T08:54:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T13:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=392472"},"modified":"2026-02-18T08:30:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T13:30:15","slug":"public-school-vaccination-requirements-by-state","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/education\/school-safety\/public-school-vaccination-requirements-by-state.html","title":{"rendered":"Public School Vaccination Requirements by State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Public School Vaccination Requirements by State<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Public school <\/span>vaccination requirements<\/span> are state laws<\/span> that mandate<\/span> specific vaccines for K-12 students to protect public health<\/span> and prevent disease outbreaks. All states require a core series of vaccines including DTaP<\/span>, MMR<\/span>, polio<\/span>, varicella<\/span>, and hepatitis B<\/span>, though requirements for additional vaccines vary by state. Every state allows medical exemptions. Most also permit religious exemptions, and 16 states allow philosophical exemptions.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

States use school <\/span>vaccination requirements<\/span> to protect public health<\/span> and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases<\/span>. Most state laws<\/span> follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span> (CDC<\/span>)<\/u><\/a> and its Advisory Committee on Immunization<\/span> Practices<\/span> (ACIP<\/span>). This can all be rather confusing, especially at this time.<\/p>\n

As you may know, the CDC<\/span> revised its childhood and adolescent<\/span> immunization<\/span> schedule<\/span> in January 2026. While this may deviate from your pediatrician\u2019s recommendations, understanding your state\u2019s school <\/span>immunization<\/span> rules<\/u><\/a> can be critical.<\/p>\n

In this article, we review key information that parents of school-age children should know about immunization<\/span> requirements<\/span> and exemptions. We\u2019ll also provide you with a snapshot of each state\u2019s K-12 school rules, with a direct link to your state\u2019s mandates<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re facing issues related to these requirements, consider speaking with an education law attorney in your state<\/u><\/a>. They can help you sort through the red tape and protect your rights as parents.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, let\u2019s go over some general information.<\/p>\n

What Vaccines Are Typically Required?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although each state is different, they all require students to receive a series of vaccines before attending school. These typically include a core, or standard, series of vaccinations.<\/p>\n

Your pediatrician or school nurse may refer to them as a \u201croutine childhood series.\u201d Regardless of the reference, this core series usually includes:<\/p>\n