Which Vaccines Are Mandatory for School?

Germs can circulate quickly in classrooms, on playgrounds and on buses. That’s why schools require certain vaccines before students can attend class — they can protect your kids and their classmates from coming down with serious illnesses.

But which vaccines are mandatory for school in the United States? And what else can you do to protect your child? Pediatrician Kim Giuliano, MD, explains.

Vaccinations required for school in the U.S.

All 50 states currently require these four vaccines before students begin kindergarten:

• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)
• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
• Polio
• Chickenpox (varicella)

These vaccines protect against some of the most contagious and potentially serious childhood diseases, but they’re just the starting point.

Depending on where you live, your state may require additional vaccines. And your child's healthcare provider will likely recommend others as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule.

Additional vaccines required by some states

“There are some variations to what’s required based on where you live,” Dr. Guiliano says. “Each state has laws regarding which vaccines are mandatory for kids to go to school.”

In addition to the four vaccines that all states require:

• Most states require hepatitis B vaccination before kids enter kindergarten.
• More than half require meningitis vaccines for older students (typically around seventh grade).
• Some states require hepatitis A vaccines and pneumococcal vaccines.
• A few require HPV vaccines for tweens or teens.

These laws typically apply to both public and private schools. And they can change. Check with your child’s school, their healthcare provider or your state’s laws before school starts for the latest guidance.

Vaccines recommended by healthcare providers

The vaccines required for school attendance are the minimum required by state law.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends additional vaccines throughout childhood, too. They can help protect against illnesses such as:

• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
• Rotavirus
• RSV

Many of these vaccines are recommended much earlier in childhood, before kids reach school age.

And timing matters. The longer a child goes without certain vaccines, the longer they remain vulnerable to diseases that can cause serious complications.

“Vaccines are given at strategic ages, when we know a child’s body can mount an appropriate immune response,” Dr. Giuliano explains. “We want to give them that protection before they run the risk of contracting the illness.”

Exemptions to mandatory school vaccines

All states allow families to request exemptions for medical reasons, but the specifics can vary. Some states also allow families to request exemptions for religious or philosophical reasons, but those aren’t recognized in all states.

Rules regarding individual vaccines can vary, too.

“You may be able to request exemption from certain vaccines on a religious basis, but not others,” Dr Guiliano clarifies. “And some states will require parents to undergo vaccine education programs before being allowed religious or philosophical exemptions.”

Some exemptions will need to be renewed periodically.

Check with your school and review your state laws to understand what exemptions are permitted in your area.

Final thoughts: Why vaccinations are important

Schools are full of young kids who share desks, cafeteria tables and bathrooms — all of which breed germs. They play tag at recess. They drink from each other’s water bottles, and they don’t always cover their coughs and sneezes.

Being vaccinated helps protect students from serious illness. When more children are vaccinated, it’s harder for contagious diseases to spread through a school community. That helps protect classmates who may be too young to be vaccinated or who have medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to severe illness.

“Vaccines help prevent really serious illnesses that can lead to long-term complications for children,” Dr Giuliano states. “We give vaccines to prevent those most severe cases.”

Talk with a pediatrician or family medicine provider if you’re unsure whether your child is up to date, or if you have questions about school vaccine requirements. They can review your child's immunization record, explain what’s required where you live and help you catch up on any missed vaccines.

“We’re here to help parents raise healthy children and separate facts from fiction,” Dr. Giuliano encourages.