Delaware school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · DE
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)
Delaware Code Title 14 §131 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 9), and Meningococcal (grade 9). Delaware allows medical and religious exemptions only.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Delaware's immunization requirements apply to all schools including private and non-public schools under 14 Del. C. §131.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing requires DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A for licensed child-care facilities.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Delaware requires all college and university students to show proof of MMR (2 doses). Students living in dorms must also have meningococcal vaccine (or signed waiver).
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Delaware requires healthcare workers to be offered Hepatitis B vaccine (federal OSHA). Annual influenza vaccination strongly recommended. MMR, varicella, and Tdap per CDC guidelines.
📊 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: Submit form completed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school. Sources differ on whether other clinicians may sign, so a licensed physician's signature is the safest choice. Confirm with the Delaware Division of Public Health or the school nurse before using another clinician. Also ask whether the child's condition needs the Supplemental form and Division of Public Health approval.
Renewal: Temporary: valid for the school year, then resubmitted. Permanent: valid while the child is enrolled, though the school nurse reviews it yearly and may ask for an updated form.
Approving authority: Licensed physician (MD or DO); confirm before using another clinician
🔗 School Vaccination Medical Exemption Form → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian must sign and notarize the religious exemption affidavit and submit to the school.
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 (with notarization)
🔗 Affidavit of Religious Belief (notarized) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Delaware requires homeschool students to comply with immunization requirements. Under Delaware Code Title 14 §131, homeschools are classified as 'non-public schools,' and students in non-public schools must meet the same immunization requirements as public school students.
Reporting
Homeschool families must maintain immunization records and submit them to the Delaware Department of Education upon enrollment.
Exemptions
Medical and religious exemptions are available. Delaware allows religious exemption through notarized affidavit. 14 Del. Admin. Code §804 governs exemption procedures.
Notes
Delaware is one of the few states that explicitly brings homeschool students under the same immunization umbrella as private school students. Families should be prepared to submit immunization records or exemption affidavits upon initial registration with the Department of Education.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Delaware 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 Delaware?
Delaware Code Title 14 §131 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 9), and Meningococcal (grade 9). Delaware allows medical and religious exemptions only. Source: Delaware Division of Public Health.
▶ What vaccines does Delaware require for daycare and preschool?
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing requires DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A for licensed child-care facilities.
▶ Does Delaware allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Delaware allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. Religious exemption requires notarization.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Delaware?
Medical: Submit form completed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school. Sources differ on whether other clinicians may sign, so a licensed physician's signature is the safest choice. Confirm with the Delaware Division of Public Health or the school nurse before using another clinician. Also ask whether the child's condition needs the Supplemental form and Division of Public Health approval. Religious: Parent/guardian must sign and notarize the religious exemption affidavit and submit to the school. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Delaware?
Delaware requires all college and university students to show proof of MMR (2 doses). Students living in dorms must also have meningococcal vaccine (or signed waiver).