Louisiana school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · LA
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)
Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:170 and LAC 51:XXIII require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), Meningococcal (grade 6+), and HPV (grade 6 — with opt-out). Louisiana is one of the few states requiring HPV for school entry.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Louisiana's immunization law applies to all schools including private and parochial. The HPV requirement applies to all students but parents may opt out.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Louisiana Department of Health daycare regulations.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Louisiana requires all first-time college enrollees to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Tdap, and Meningococcal (MenACWY). Hepatitis B recommended.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Louisiana healthcare facilities follow CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA bloodborne pathogen standard. Influenza vaccination recommended.
📊 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 a statement 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 the Louisiana Department of Health or the school before using another clinician. Also ask whether a specific form is needed.
Renewal: As determined by physician.
Approving authority: Licensed physician (MD or DO); confirm before using another clinician
🔗 Statement of Exemption from Immunizations (La. R.S. 17:170 E) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian submits a written dissent to the school, either on the LDH Statement of Exemption form or as a written statement. The form has no notary section.
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
🔗 Statement of Exemption from Immunizations (La. R.S. 17:170 E) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
Documentation: Parent/guardian submits a written dissent to the school, either on the LDH Statement of Exemption form or as a written statement. The form has no notary section.
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
🔗 Statement of Exemption from Immunizations (La. R.S. 17:170 E) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Louisiana requires homeschool students in the Home Study program (registered with LDOE) to comply with immunization requirements. Under Louisiana RS 17:170, immunization is required for students 'entering any elementary or secondary school,' and home study programs are considered equivalent in this context. Students in the private school option (registered as a private school) are also covered.
Reporting
Home study families must include immunization records with the annual application/approval process. Some parish-level variation in enforcement.
Exemptions
Medical exemptions (physician letter) and religious/philosophical exemptions (parent's written dissent) are available. Louisiana RS 17:170(E) allows parents to submit a written statement of 'dissent' from immunization requirements based on religious, medical, or personal belief grounds.
Notes
Louisiana is one of the few states with an explicit personal belief exemption in statute. Home study families use the same exemption form as public school families. The Louisiana Department of Health provides standardized exemption forms.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:170 and LAC 51:XXIII require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), Meningococcal (grade 6+), and HPV (grade 6 — with opt-out). Louisiana is one of the few states requiring HPV for school entry. Source: Louisiana Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does Louisiana require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Louisiana Department of Health daycare regulations.
▶ Does Louisiana allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Louisiana allows medical, religious and personal-belief exemptions. Non-medical exemptions use a written dissent from the parent or guardian.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Louisiana?
Medical: Submit a statement 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 the Louisiana Department of Health or the school before using another clinician. Also ask whether a specific form is needed. Religious: Parent/guardian submits a written dissent to the school, either on the LDH Statement of Exemption form or as a written statement. The form has no notary section. Personal-belief: Parent/guardian submits a written dissent to the school, either on the LDH Statement of Exemption form or as a written statement. The form has no notary section. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires all first-time college enrollees to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Tdap, and Meningococcal (MenACWY). Hepatitis B recommended.