State School Vaccine Mandates

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have vaccination requirements for school attendance. These requirements are established by state law and enforced at the local level. This page provides an overview of how school vaccine mandates work across the United States.

Common Required Vaccines

Most states require the following vaccines for school entry:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap): Required in all 50 states
• Polio: Required in all 50 states
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Required in all 50 states
• Hepatitis B: Required in all 50 states
• Varicella (chickenpox): Required in 48 states
• Meningococcal (MCV4): Required in many states for middle/high school

How Requirements Are Enforced

• Documentation: Parents must provide immunization records before school entry
• Exclusion: Unvaccinated students may be excluded from school during outbreaks
• Grace periods: Most states allow a period to get catch-up vaccinations
• Conditional attendance: Some states allow attendance while completing series

Variations by State

States differ in:

• Which specific vaccines are required
• Number of doses required for each vaccine
• Grades/ages to which requirements apply
• Exemption policies (see related page)
• Enforcement mechanisms

Historical Context

• School mandates began in the 1960s-1970s
• Requirements expanded as new vaccines were introduced
• All 50 states had requirements by 1980
• Requirements have been associated with increased vaccination coverage

Sources & Citations

• CDC: State Immunization Laws
• Immunize.org: State Vaccine Laws