2026 · School entry
Minnesota school & kindergarten vaccine requirements
To enter kindergarten in Minnesota, children generally need 5 vaccines — DTaP, IPV, MMR, VAR, HepB. Below is what each one protects against, how exemptions and provisional enrollment work, and the official Minnesota source. Hepatitis A is not required for kindergarten entry here.
Key takeaways
- To enter kindergarten in Minnesota, children generally need 5 vaccines: DTaP, IPV, MMR, VAR, HepB.
- No. Minnesota does not require hepatitis A (HepA) for kindergarten entry, although the CDC still recommends it for children. Your required list is DTaP, IPV, MMR, VAR, HepB.
- Minnesota exemptions: medical available; religious not available; personal belief available. Confirm on the official source.
- Standard core (HepB required). HepA not required at K.
Which vaccines does Minnesota require for kindergarten?
Each card links to a full guide for that vaccine — brands, ingredients, and how a delayed schedule changes the dose count.
Minnesota specifics
Standard core (HepB required). HepA not required at K.
What does Minnesota say about exemptions?
- Medical Available
- Religious Not available
- Personal belief Available
How does the process work?
Non-medical exemptions use a statement that the child is not immunized because of the conscientiously held beliefs of the parent or guardian. The parent signs it before a notary, gives it to the school or child care, and it is forwarded to the Minnesota Department of Health. Medical exemptions are signed by a health care provider. MDH lists places where the form can be notarized.
Minnesota Department of Health - Immunization Law Exemptions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
This summarizes what the state's own pages say, reviewed September 30, 2026. It is not advice for or against any option. Laws and forms change; confirm with your school or health department. Compare all states in the exemptions overview, or see glossary definitions.
What is provisional enrollment?
Many states permit provisional or conditional enrollment, which lets a child start school while still catching up on a series that has already been started. Rules and time limits vary, so ask your school. The catch-up guide explains how remaining doses are counted.
Where are Minnesota's official requirements?
The authoritative reference for Minnesota is the state's own published requirements. Always verify dose counts, grade ranges, and exemptions there — those details change and are not all captured here.
immunize.org — HepA school requirements (2025) →
More questions about Minnesota school vaccines
Which vaccines does Minnesota require for kindergarten?
For kindergarten entry, Minnesota requires 5 vaccines: DTaP, IPV, MMR, VAR, HepB. These protect against diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis); polio; measles, mumps, rubella. Dose counts and grade ranges can vary — always confirm on the official Minnesota source.
Does Minnesota require the hepatitis A vaccine for school?
No. Minnesota does not require hepatitis A (HepA) for kindergarten entry, although the CDC still recommends it for children. Your required list is DTaP, IPV, MMR, VAR, HepB.
Can my child start school in Minnesota on a delayed vaccine schedule?
Often it can. A slower, spaced-out schedule can still satisfy Minnesota's rules as long as the required series (DTaP, IPV, MMR, VAR, HepB) are finished — or, in many districts, in progress under provisional/conditional enrollment — by the first day of school. The free planner builds a plan that finishes every required vaccine in time. Confirm the specifics with your school district and your child's healthcare practitioner.
Does Minnesota allow vaccine exemptions?
Minnesota: Medical exemptions are available, religious exemptions are not available, and personal-belief exemptions are available. Non-medical exemptions use a statement that the child is not immunized because of the conscientiously held beliefs of the parent or guardian. The parent signs it before a notary, gives it to the school or child care, and it is forwarded to the Minnesota Department of Health. Medical exemptions are signed by a health care provider. MDH lists places where the form can be notarized. Rules and forms change, so confirm with Minnesota Department of Health - Immunization Law Exemptions or your school.
Plan Minnesota-ready vaccinations on a slower schedule
Want to space shots out but still finish every required vaccine before the first day of school? Build a spaced-out, minimum-dose plan you can review with your child's healthcare practitioner.
Build my plan →Sources
The state's own page is the authority; the others are cross-checks.