Iowa school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · IA
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)
Iowa Administrative Code 641-7.7 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), and Tdap (grade 7). Meningococcal (grade 7 and 12).
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Iowa law applies to public, accredited nonpublic, and independent private schools.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care centers and registered child development homes require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B per Iowa HHS regulations.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Iowa Board of Regents universities (University of Iowa, Iowa State, UNI) require MMR (2 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended for residential students.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Iowa healthcare employers follow CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Influenza vaccination recommended.
📊 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) |
| 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 signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO), APRN, or PA to the school.
Renewal: No set renewal period. It lasts until the expiration date the provider records, if any. An exemption for minimum vaccine spacing lasts no more than 60 days.
Approving authority: MD, DO, APRN, or PA
🔗 Medical Certificate of Immunization Exemption (July 2026) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian signs the form. Submit to the admitting official of the school or licensed child care center. Iowa's statute still uses the word affidavit. Ask the school whether it needs anything beyond the signed state form.
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
🔗 Religious Certificate of Immunization Exemption (July 2024) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Iowa requires homeschool students to comply with immunization requirements. Under Iowa Code §139A.8, immunization is required for students 'enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school,' and Iowa Administrative Code 281-31.5(299A) classifies homeschool programs (Competent Private Instruction) as enrolling students in a 'school.'
Reporting
Homeschool families must provide proof of immunization or exemption to their reporting agency (school district or AEA).
Exemptions
Medical and religious exemptions are available. Iowa Code §139A.8(5) provides for exemption based on 'sincere religious belief' — requires notarized statement from parent/guardian. No philosophical exemption.
Notes
Iowa is unusual among Midwestern states in applying immunization requirements to homeschool students. This dates to 1991 legislation that brought CPI under school reporting requirements. The religious exemption process is straightforward and widely used by homeschool families.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Iowa 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 Iowa?
Iowa Administrative Code 641-7.7 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), and Tdap (grade 7). Meningococcal (grade 7 and 12). Source: Iowa Department of Health & Human Services.
▶ What vaccines does Iowa require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care centers and registered child development homes require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B per Iowa HHS regulations.
▶ Does Iowa allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Iowa allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. The religious exemption form is signed by the parent or guardian and does not require notarization.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Iowa?
Medical: Submit form signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO), APRN, or PA to the school. Religious: Parent/guardian signs the form. Submit to the admitting official of the school or licensed child care center. Iowa's statute still uses the word affidavit. Ask the school whether it needs anything beyond the signed state form. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Iowa?
Iowa Board of Regents universities (University of Iowa, Iowa State, UNI) require MMR (2 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended for residential students.