Kindergarten vaccine requirements: what to know

Who decides what is required?

States set school and childcare vaccine requirements, usually through their health or education departments. Immunize.org compiles them from state health department information, by vaccine and by setting (childcare, K-12, secondary school and college); its tables were current as of May 2026. We keep the verified per-state details on the requirements by state pages, last reviewed October 12, 2026, and do not repeat them here.

What is usually required for kindergarten?

Across the state pages here, the common kindergarten list is DTaP, polio (IPV), MMR, varicella and hepatitis B. Hepatitis A is required in some states and often only for certain grades. Hib and pneumococcal vaccines show up for childcare and preschool, not for kindergarten. Dose counts also differ: some states require fewer varicella doses than others, for example. Each state page shows the vaccines and links the state's own source.

What kinds of exemptions exist?

The CDC's kindergarten report describes medical exemptions as issued by a health care provider, and all other exemptions (religious and philosophical) as nonmedical. Which kinds a state permits, and what a parent must file, differs by state. Our exemptions by state table summarizes what each state's official page says. We do not recommend for or against any option.

How do you check your school or district?

1. Open your state's page in requirements by state and read the list and the official link.
2. Ask the school registrar or school nurse which form they want, and by what date. Districts can have their own deadlines and forms.
3. Ask whether they accept provisional enrollment for a child who is part-way through a series, and for how long.
4. Bring the full record with dates for every dose. If you cannot find it, see how to find vaccine records.

What happens if your child is behind?

The CDC's MMWR defines provisional enrollment as allowing a student without complete vaccination or exemption to attend school while completing a catch-up vaccination schedule. A related idea, the grace period, is a set number of days a student can attend without proof of complete vaccination or exemption. Which of these a state uses, and the length of time allowed, varies. Catch-up never restarts a series: see do I restart if a dose is late and the catch-up guide.

Common questions

Are kindergarten vaccine requirements the same in every state?

No. They are set state by state, and the CDC notes that vaccination assessments varied by immunization program because of differences in state requirements. The core list is similar in most places, but dose counts, grade ranges, hepatitis A and exemption rules differ. Look up your state on our requirements by state pages, which link each state's official source.

Can my child start kindergarten if the vaccines are not finished?

Often, yes. Many states allow provisional (conditional) enrollment: the CDC's MMWR defines it as a provision that allows a student without complete vaccination or exemption to attend school while completing a catch-up vaccination schedule. Terms and time limits vary by state, and some states may not offer it. Ask the school and check your state page.

Is a slower schedule compatible with school entry?

It can be, if the required series are finished, or in progress where your state allows that, by the first day of school. The planner builds a plan against your school date and tells you plainly if the minimum intervals do not leave enough time.

What kinds of exemptions exist?

States can permit medical exemptions (issued by a health care provider) and, in some states, nonmedical exemptions such as religious or philosophical ones. Which are available, and the paperwork they need, varies by state and changes over time. See exemptions by state and confirm on your state's official page.

Do Hib, pneumococcal, flu or COVID-19 vaccines count for kindergarten?

In the state data on this site, Hib and pneumococcal vaccines are required for childcare and preschool, not for kindergarten entry, and flu and COVID-19 are generally not on the kindergarten list. Rules change, so confirm on your state's official source.