Kentucky school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · KY
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)
Kentucky Administrative Regulation 902 KAR 2:060 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), and Meningococcal (grade 6). Hepatitis A required for students in grades K-12.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Kentucky's immunization requirements apply to all schools, including private and parochial schools, under KRS §214.034.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Kentucky child care licensing regulations (922 KAR 2:120).
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education does not mandate statewide college immunization policies. Individual institutions (UK, UofL) require MMR (2 doses) and recommend meningococcal for residential students.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Kentucky follows CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Influenza vaccination offered but not mandated by state law.
📊 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 the Commonwealth of Kentucky Certificate of Immunization Status with the medical exemption marked and signed 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 your local health department before using another clinician.
Renewal: Per provider's determination.
Approving authority: Licensed physician (MD or DO); confirm before using another clinician
🔗 Commonwealth of Kentucky Certificate of Immunization Status (EPID-230), Medical Exemption box → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian completes and notarizes the sworn statement. Submit to school.
Renewal: No yearly renewal. The EPID-230A does not expire. Provide an updated, notarized form if you object to a newly required vaccine or withdraw an objection to any vaccine. The school reviews immunization status at kindergarten, 7th and 11th grade entry and on transfer.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian (with notarization)
🔗 Parent or Guardian's Declination on Religious Grounds to Required Immunizations (EPID-230A) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Kentucky requires homeschool students to maintain immunization records but does not require submission. Under KRS §214.034, immunization applies to 'children entering school for the first time,' and homeschools are notified of this requirement but enforcement is minimal.
Reporting
Homeschool families should maintain immunization records but are not required to submit them to the state. Kentucky's homeschool notification letter to the local superintendent is a one-time notice that does not include immunization documentation.
Exemptions
Medical and religious exemptions available for school-attending students. KRS §214.036 provides for religious exemption — parent signs a sworn statement. Medical exemption requires physician statement.
Notes
Kentucky occupies a middle ground. The statute technically applies to homeschool students but enforcement mechanisms don't exist for non-reporting public school students. In practice, Kentucky homeschool families generally maintain but don't submit records.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky Administrative Regulation 902 KAR 2:060 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), and Meningococcal (grade 6). Hepatitis A required for students in grades K-12. Source: Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services.
▶ What vaccines does Kentucky require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Kentucky child care licensing regulations (922 KAR 2:120).
▶ Does Kentucky allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Kentucky allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. Religious exemption requires a notarized sworn statement.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Kentucky?
Medical: Submit the Commonwealth of Kentucky Certificate of Immunization Status with the medical exemption marked and signed 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 your local health department before using another clinician. Religious: Parent/guardian completes and notarizes the sworn statement. Submit to school. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Kentucky?
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education does not mandate statewide college immunization policies. Individual institutions (UK, UofL) require MMR (2 doses) and recommend meningococcal for residential students.