Illinois school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · IL
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)
Illinois Administrative Code Title 77 §665 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grades 6-12), Meningococcal (grades 6 and 12), and Hib (for preschool only). Recent legislation (2022) has strengthened enforcement of school immunization requirements.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Illinois law applies to all public, private, and parochial schools equally. All schools must file annual Certificate of Child Health Examination including immunization.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and PCV per Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensing standards.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Illinois requires all college students to show proof of MMR (2 doses) and Tdap. Students living in campus housing must provide proof of meningococcal vaccination or sign waiver.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Illinois healthcare facilities must offer Hepatitis B and annual influenza vaccination. Workers may decline but must sign declination form. MMR and varicella documentation required at most facilities.
📊 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: According to physician's determination.
Approving authority: MD, DO, APRN, or PA
🔗 77 Ill. Adm. Code 665.520 Medical Objection (no state form) → (opens in a new tab)🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian completes the Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption, including a statement of the religious beliefs for each vaccine or exam, and submits it to the local school authority, which decides whether the objection is valid. The form must be signed by the parent/guardian and by the child's health care provider (physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant), whose signature confirms only that information was provided. The form is required for students entering kindergarten, sixth, or ninth grade. No notarization required.
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 and health care provider sign; local school authority determines validity
🔗 Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption to Required Immunizations and/or Examinations → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Illinois does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under 105 ILCS 5/27-8.1, the Illinois School Code immunization requirements apply to 'children enrolling in any public, private, or parochial school,' but homeschools operating under the private school provision of Illinois law (§105 ILCS 5/26-1) are treated as private schools for reporting purposes but are not explicitly required to comply with immunization mandates — enforcement is inconsistent and varies by regional office of education.
Reporting
Homeschool families are generally not required to report immunization status, though Illinois State Board of Education guidance suggests families 'should maintain records.'
Exemptions
Illinois allows medical and religious exemptions for school-attending students. Philosophical exemptions are not available. Medical exemption requires physician statement; religious exemption requires parent/guardian signature on the Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption.
Notes
Illinois is one of the most ambiguous states on homeschool immunization. Regional offices of education vary in their interpretation and enforcement. In practice, most Illinois homeschool families do not submit immunization records, and the ISBE's homeschool guidance does not explicitly require them.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Illinois 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 Illinois?
Illinois Administrative Code Title 77 §665 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grades 6-12), Meningococcal (grades 6 and 12), and Hib (for preschool only). Recent legislation (2022) has strengthened enforcement of school immunization requirements. Source: Illinois Department of Public Health.
▶ What vaccines does Illinois require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and PCV per Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensing standards.
▶ Does Illinois allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Illinois allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. The religious exemption form must be signed by the parent/guardian and the child's health care provider.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Illinois?
Medical: Submit form signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO), APRN, or PA to the school. Religious: Parent/guardian completes the Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption, including a statement of the religious beliefs for each vaccine or exam, and submits it to the local school authority, which decides whether the objection is valid. The form must be signed by the parent/guardian and by the child's health care provider (physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant), whose signature confirms only that information was provided. The form is required for students entering kindergarten, sixth, or ninth grade. No notarization required. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Illinois?
Illinois requires all college students to show proof of MMR (2 doses) and Tdap. Students living in campus housing must provide proof of meningococcal vaccination or sign waiver.