District of Columbia school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · DC
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)
DC Municipal Regulations Title 22-B §206 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), Meningococcal (grades 6-12), and HPV (grade 6 with opt-out). Hepatitis A required for PreK-3 through grade 5. DC has comprehensive immunization requirements.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
DC's immunization requirements apply to all public, public charter, private, parochial, and independent schools in the District.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child development facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per DC child-care licensing regulations.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education requires all postsecondary students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses) and Meningococcal vaccination. DC universities (GW, Georgetown, AU) typically require comprehensive immunization documentation.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
DC healthcare workers must receive annual influenza vaccination or wear a mask during flu season per DC Health regulations. Hepatitis B per OSHA.
📊 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) |
| HPV | ✓ | — | — | 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: Submit the DC Universal Health Certificate with the medical exemption section completed and signed by the child's physician or nurse practitioner (or their representative) to the school.
Renewal: A permanent medical exemption does not expire. A temporary one lasts until the date the provider gives. The Universal Health Certificate is still returned to the school every year.
Approving authority: Physician or nurse practitioner (or their representative)
🔗 DC Universal Health Certificate → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian completes the form and submits to school. Notarization not required.
Renewal: Annually. A new certificate is needed before each school year; it is valid July 1 to June 30.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian
🔗 Annual Immunization Religious Exemption Certificate → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
District of Columbia does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under DCMR Title 22-B §206, immunization requirements apply to students 'enrolled in a school in the District of Columbia,' but DC homeschool regulations (DCMR Title 5-A §5200) do not require immunization documentation for homeschool registration.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for homeschool students. DC homeschool regulations require notification only — no medical documentation.
Exemptions
Not applicable — homeschool students are exempt. DC allows medical and religious exemptions for school-attending students.
Notes
DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) homeschool guidance does not list immunization among homeschool requirements.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?
DC Municipal Regulations Title 22-B §206 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), Meningococcal (grades 6-12), and HPV (grade 6 with opt-out). Hepatitis A required for PreK-3 through grade 5. DC has comprehensive immunization requirements. Source: DC Health.
▶ What vaccines does District of Columbia require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child development facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per DC child-care licensing regulations.
▶ Does District of Columbia allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
District of Columbia allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. The medical exemption is part of DC's Universal Health Certificate form.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in District of Columbia?
Medical: Submit the DC Universal Health Certificate with the medical exemption section completed and signed by the child's physician or nurse practitioner (or their representative) to the school. Religious: Parent/guardian completes the form and submits to school. Notarization not required. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in District of Columbia?
DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education requires all postsecondary students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses) and Meningococcal vaccination. DC universities (GW, Georgetown, AU) typically require comprehensive immunization documentation.