Minnesota school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · MN
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)
Minnesota Statutes §121A.15 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 booster (grade 12) required.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Minnesota immunization law applies to all public and nonpublic schools. Homeschool students (Competent Private Instruction) are also required to submit immunization records with the Letter of Intent.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care and early childhood programs require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Minnesota child-care immunization rules.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Minnesota requires all postsecondary students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Tdap (within 10 years), and for students living in campus housing, meningococcal vaccination (or signed waiver). This is codified in Minnesota Statutes §135A.14.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Minnesota requires healthcare facilities to offer annual influenza vaccination. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Some hospital systems require influenza vaccination as a condition of employment.
📊 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 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 your school or the Minnesota Department of Health before using another clinician.
Renewal: As determined by provider.
Approving authority: Licensed physician (MD or DO); confirm before using another clinician
🔗 Are Your Kids Ready? Minnesota K-12 Immunization Law (exemptions on reverse side) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian signs a non-medical exemption statement in front of a notary and submits it to the school. The statement may be the MDH immunization form, a form from the school, or the parent/guardian's own written objection to specific immunizations.
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)
🔗 Get Your Non-Medical Exemption Form Notarized (MDH) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
Documentation: Same process. Minnesota uses a unified 'conscientious exemption' that covers both religious and philosophical objections.
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)
🔗 Are Your Kids Ready? Minnesota K-12 Immunization Law (exemptions on reverse side) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Minnesota requires homeschool students to submit immunization records. Under Minnesota Statutes §121A.15, immunization requirements apply to students 'enrolled in any elementary or secondary school or child care facility,' and Minnesota defines homeschool programs as schools for most regulatory purposes including immunization.
Reporting
Homeschool families must submit immunization records or exemption statements with the annual Letter of Intent to the local school superintendent.
Exemptions
Medical exemptions (physician statement) and conscientious exemptions (notarized parent statement) are available. Minnesota Statute §121A.15(3)(d) and (e) detail the conscientious exemption process — parent must have statement notarized and submit to school district.
Notes
Minnesota is one of the more regulated homeschool states for immunization. The notarized conscientious exemption is widely used by homeschool families and has a straightforward process. Homeschool families should be meticulous about the annual submission requirements.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota Statutes §121A.15 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 booster (grade 12) required. Source: Minnesota Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does Minnesota require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care and early childhood programs require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Minnesota child-care immunization rules.
▶ Does Minnesota allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Minnesota allows medical, religious and personal-belief exemptions. Non-medical exemptions for conscientiously held beliefs follow one process and require a notarized statement.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Minnesota?
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 your school or the Minnesota Department of Health before using another clinician. Religious: Parent/guardian signs a non-medical exemption statement in front of a notary and submits it to the school. The statement may be the MDH immunization form, a form from the school, or the parent/guardian's own written objection to specific immunizations. Personal-belief: Same process. Minnesota uses a unified 'conscientious exemption' that covers both religious and philosophical objections. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires all postsecondary students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Tdap (within 10 years), and for students living in campus housing, meningococcal vaccination (or signed waiver). This is codified in Minnesota Statutes §135A.14.