Alabama school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · AL
Last updated: 2026-11-01
💉 Vaccination Schedule
2 months
4 months
6 months
May be given at 6–18 months
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Hib Dose 3Depending on product
(opens in a new tab) 💉 PCV (Pneumococcal) Dose 3 (opens in a new tab) 💉 Rotavirus Dose 3Depending on product
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Hepatitis B Dose 36–18 months
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Influenza AnnualFrom 6 months annually
(opens in a new tab) 💉 COVID-19 Per current guidanceFrom 6 months
(opens in a new tab)12–15 months
15–18 months
4–6 years
11–12 years
🏫 School & Institutional Requirements
▶ 🏫 Public Schools (K–12)
Alabama Code §16-30-3 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of prior disease), and Tdap (booster at age 11-12) for public school students. Hepatitis B is not mandated for school entry but is recommended.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Same requirements as public schools under Alabama law.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B per Alabama Department of Human Resources regulations.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
No statewide mandate. Individual institutions may require MMR and meningococcal vaccines.
No specific provincial vaccine mandates at this level.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Alabama follows CDC recommendations: Hepatitis B, influenza (annual), MMR, varicella, and Tdap.
📊 Required Vaccines by Setting
| DTaP / Tdap | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hepatitis B | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hib | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Influenza | — | — | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| MMR | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| PCV (Pneumococcal) | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Polio (IPV) | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Varicella | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
📝 Vaccine Exemptions
🏥 Medical
AvailableFor medical contraindications
Documentation: Submit completed form signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school or childcare facility.
Renewal: Not stated in the official sources we read. Check each school year and confirm with the school or health department.
Approving authority: Licensed physician (MD or DO)
🔗 ADPH ImmPRINT guide: Certificate of Medical Exemption → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian submits a written objection based on religious tenets and practices, in person, to the County Health Department and receives education on the consequences of not immunizing. The County Health Department issues a Certificate of Religious Exemption, which goes to the school. Ask the county health department what the visit involves and whether any fee applies.
Renewal: Not stated in the official sources we read. Check each school year and confirm with the school or health department.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian or individual (age 19+)
🔗 Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-6-1-.02 → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Alabama does not regulate homeschool immunization. Homeschool students (under church school or private tutor statutes) are not required to submit immunization records.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for homeschool students.
Exemptions
Not applicable — no immunization requirement for homeschool.
Notes
Alabama homeschool law (church school option and private tutor option) does not address immunizations. Church schools are not considered public or private schools for immunization purposes under Alabama Code §16-30-3.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Alabama immunization data added to Parent Decision Center.
🔬 Related Vaccine Evidence Pages
Each card links to the full VaccineDataNavigator evidence page — including clinical trials, data, pharmacovigilance, ingredients, and references.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What vaccines are required for kindergarten and school in Alabama?
Alabama Code §16-30-3 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of prior disease), and Tdap (booster at age 11-12) for public school students. Hepatitis B is not mandated for school entry but is recommended. Source: Alabama Department of Public Health.
▶ What vaccines does Alabama require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B per Alabama Department of Human Resources regulations.
▶ Does Alabama allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Alabama allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. A religious exemption is requested in person at the County Health Department, which issues the certificate.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Alabama?
Medical: Submit completed form signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school or childcare facility. Religious: Parent/guardian submits a written objection based on religious tenets and practices, in person, to the County Health Department and receives education on the consequences of not immunizing. The County Health Department issues a Certificate of Religious Exemption, which goes to the school. Ask the county health department what the visit involves and whether any fee applies. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Alabama?
No statewide mandate. Individual institutions may require MMR and meningococcal vaccines.