North Carolina school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · NC
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)
North Carolina General Statute §130A-152 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7), and Meningococcal (grade 7 and grade 12). North Carolina's school immunization requirements are among the most comprehensive in the Southeast.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
North Carolina's requirements apply to all schools including private and religious schools. G.S. §130A-152 defines 'school' broadly.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per .2600 child-care immunization rules.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
UNC System universities require MMR (2 doses) and Hepatitis B (3 doses). Meningococcal vaccine required for residential students.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
North Carolina follows CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Influenza vaccination recommended. Some major health systems (Duke, UNC Health, Atrium) have implemented employee influenza vaccination requirements.
📊 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 form signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school.
Renewal: As indicated by the physician.
Approving authority: Licensed physician (MD or DO)
🔗 NC Medical Exemption Statement Form, DHHS 3987 (Rev. 08/20) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian must submit a written statement of their religious objection. No notarization required. No state form is mandated — the parent's written statement serves as the exemption document.
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 (written statement)
🔗 Vaccine Exemptions in NC (no state form) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
North Carolina requires homeschool students to comply with immunization requirements. Under North Carolina General Statute §130A-152, immunization requirements apply to 'children presented for admission to any school,' and homeschools under G.S. §115C-563 are classified as 'non-public schools' subject to immunization requirements.
Reporting
Homeschool families must maintain immunization records at the homeschool and provide them to the Department of Non-Public Education (DNPE) upon request. DNPE may request records during the required annual enrollment report.
Exemptions
Medical exemptions (physician statement) and religious exemptions (parent statement of bona fide religious belief) available. G.S. §130A-156 defines the religious exemption: parent must submit a written statement. No philosophical/personal belief exemption.
Notes
North Carolina treats homeschools as non-public schools for immunization purposes. DNPE generally does not proactively enforce immunization requirements on existing homeschools but does review records during inspections. The religious exemption is the most commonly used exemption for homeschool families.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina General Statute §130A-152 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7), and Meningococcal (grade 7 and grade 12). North Carolina's school immunization requirements are among the most comprehensive in the Southeast. Source: North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services.
▶ What vaccines does North Carolina require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per .2600 child-care immunization rules.
▶ Does North Carolina allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
North Carolina allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. No official state form for religious exemption — a parent/guardian written statement is sufficient.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in North Carolina?
Medical: Submit form signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school. Religious: Parent/guardian must submit a written statement of their religious objection. No notarization required. No state form is mandated — the parent's written statement serves as the exemption document. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in North Carolina?
UNC System universities require MMR (2 doses) and Hepatitis B (3 doses). Meningococcal vaccine required for residential students.