California school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · CA
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)
California Health and Safety Code §120335 and Cal. Code Regs. Title 17 §6000 et seq. require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), MMR (2 doses), Varicella (2 doses), and Tdap (grade 7). As of 2015 (SB 277), personal belief exemptions eliminated. Medical exemptions controlled through CAIR-ME system.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Same requirements as public schools under SB 277 (2015) and SB 276 (2019). Personal belief exemptions are not available for any K-12 student in California.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
California requires DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A for licensed child-care entry. Influenza recommended but not required.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
California public universities (UC and CSU systems) require MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap, and Meningococcal (MenACWY for students ≤21). These are some of the most comprehensive university requirements in the US.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
California requires healthcare workers to be offered Hepatitis B vaccine (OSHA bloodborne pathogen standard). Hospitals must offer influenza vaccine annually; workers who decline must sign a declination form. Strongly recommends MMR, varicella, Tdap, and COVID-19.
📊 Required Vaccines by Setting
| DTaP / Tdap | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hepatitis A | — | ✓ | — | 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) |
| Meningococcal | — | — | ✓ | 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: A physician must issue the exemption through the California Immunization Registry - Medical Exemption website (CAIR-ME). A parent can create a CAIR-ME account, apply, and give the application number to the physician. The physician prints the issued form and gives the parent a copy for the school. CDPH reviews exemptions when a school's or child care facility's immunization rate falls below 95%, when it fails to report vaccination rates, when a doctor writes 5 or more medical exemptions per year, or when review is necessary to protect public health.
Renewal: Expires at the earliest of: enrollment in the next grade span (TK/K-6th grade, 7th-12th grade), the expiration date of a temporary exemption, or permanent revocation.
Approving authority: Physician (MD or DO) licensed in California. CDPH may review; only the State Public Health Officer or a physician they designate can revoke.
🔗 CDPH CAIR-ME medical exemption website → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
Not AvailableFor religious beliefs
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
California requires homeschool students in private school affidavit programs (PSA — the most common homeschool option) to maintain immunization records, but enforcement varies significantly by county. Some counties require the same documentation as private schools; others do not track homeschool immunization. Students in public independent study programs (charter homeschool) must comply with public school immunization requirements.
Reporting
PSA-based homeschool families must maintain records but reporting to the state is not generally required unless the student participates in public school programs. Charter homeschool students report through the charter school.
Exemptions
Medical exemptions available. California eliminated the personal belief exemption for school-entry immunizations (SB 277, 2015), which applies to private schools including PSA-based homeschool programs. Medical exemptions must be issued through CAIR-ME (California Immunization Registry Medical Exemption system).
Notes
California's homeschool landscape is complex. Families using the PSA (Private School Affidavit) route are considered private school students for immunization purposes, though enforcement varies. Independent Study programs through public schools require full compliance with public school immunization requirements. Religious exemption was eliminated for school entry, affecting homeschool families who previously used this option.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
California 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 California?
California Health and Safety Code §120335 and Cal. Code Regs. Title 17 §6000 et seq. require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), MMR (2 doses), Varicella (2 doses), and Tdap (grade 7). As of 2015 (SB 277), personal belief exemptions eliminated. Medical exemptions controlled through CAIR-ME system. Source: California Department of Public Health.
▶ What vaccines does California require for daycare and preschool?
California requires DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A for licensed child-care entry. Influenza recommended but not required.
▶ Does California allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
California allows medical exemptions; religious and personal-belief exemptions are not available. As of 2021, California requires new medical exemptions to be issued through CAIR-ME. CDPH reviews exemptions in specified circumstances. Only medical exemptions are permitted. SB 277 (2015) eliminated non-medical exemptions.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in California?
Medical: A physician must issue the exemption through the California Immunization Registry - Medical Exemption website (CAIR-ME). A parent can create a CAIR-ME account, apply, and give the application number to the physician. The physician prints the issued form and gives the parent a copy for the school. CDPH reviews exemptions when a school's or child care facility's immunization rate falls below 95%, when it fails to report vaccination rates, when a doctor writes 5 or more medical exemptions per year, or when review is necessary to protect public health. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in California?
California public universities (UC and CSU systems) require MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap, and Meningococcal (MenACWY for students ≤21). These are some of the most comprehensive university requirements in the US.