Each state and DC has its own vaccine requirements to attend public school. Below, find which vaccines are mandated for public school kindergarten entry as of Aug. 16, 2021. At the bottom of the page, find a link for each state’s requirements.
Vaccines have been in the news due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Oct. 20, 2022, the CDC voted to add the coronavirus vaccine to the schedule of recommended vaccines for children and adults. However, only California (effective July 1, 2023) and DC (effective for the 2022-2023 school year) have announced the intent to require the COVID-19 vaccine and both will require only fully FDA approved coronavirus vaccines for the recommended age groups, which are the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (brand name Comirnaty) for children 12 and up, and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (brand name Spikevax) for those 18 and up (which could include some high school students) as of Oct. 24, 2022. [134] [135] [136] [137] [138]
Though each state and DC has vaccine requirements, every state and DC also allows for vaccine exemptions.
Note that this resource is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most recent changes in any state requirements. Always check with your state’s Department of Health, Department of Education, or local school for current vaccination requirements.
(click vaccine names below for more info on manufacturers, brand names, and ingredients)
All 50 states and DC require the DTap vaccine (or another vaccine combination for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) for kindergarten entry.
All 50 states and DC require the IPV vaccine for kindergarten entry.
All 50 states and DC require the varicella vaccine for kindergarten entry, though some will accept proof of immunity instead of vaccination. Some states list the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) vaccine as appropriate.
49 states and DC require the MMR vaccine for kindergarten entry. Some states list the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) vaccine as appropriate.
Iowa, the only state to not require the MMR vaccine, requires a measles and a rubella vaccine, but not a mumps vaccine.
44 states and DC require the Hep B vaccine for kindergarten entry. Alabama, Maine, Montana, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont do not require the HepB vaccine for kindergarten entry.
17 states require the Hep A vaccine for kindergarten entry: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
Some states require this vaccine if the child is entering kindergarten before turning 5 years old. We have included only vaccine requirements for all kindergartners. Please consult your state requirements if the child will be 4 years old when entering kindergarten.
Some states require this vaccine if the child is entering kindergarten before turning 5 years old. We have included only vaccine requirements for all kindergartners. Please consult your state requirements if the child will be 4 years old when entering kindergarten.
