New Jersey school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · NJ
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)
New Jersey Administrative Code 8:57-4 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), and Meningococcal (grades 6 and 12).
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
New Jersey immunization requirements apply to all schools including private and parochial. Religious exemptions are available for private school students.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care centers require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per NJ child-care licensing standards (N.J.A.C. 3A:52). Annual influenza vaccination required for children 6-59 months in licensed child-care (N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.19 — first state to mandate flu vaccine for child-care).
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
New Jersey requires all college and university students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), and Meningococcal vaccination (or signed waiver). Tdap recommended.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
New Jersey P.L. 2019, c. 240 requires healthcare workers in hospitals, long-term care, and home health agencies to receive annual influenza vaccination or wear a mask. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Many facilities also require MMR documentation.
📊 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 written statement signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school. Ask the school or the New Jersey Department of Health which form to use. Sources differ on whether other clinicians may sign, so a licensed physician's signature is the safest choice. Confirm with them before using another clinician.
Renewal: Not stated in the official sources we read. Check each school year and confirm with the school or health department.
Approving authority: Licensed physician (MD or DO); confirm before using another clinician
🔗 NJ Immunization Requirements (NJDOH) (no state form) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian submits a signed written statement of religious objection to the school. Ask the school or the New Jersey Department of Health what it must say and whether it must be notarized.
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
🔗 NJ Immunization Requirements (NJDOH) (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
New Jersey does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under New Jersey Administrative Code 8:57-4, immunization requirements apply to students 'attending school,' and New Jersey homeschool regulation (NJSA 18A:38-25) does not classify homeschool programs as 'schools' for this purpose.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for homeschool students. New Jersey is a no-notice, no-reporting homeschool state.
Exemptions
Not applicable — homeschool students are exempt. New Jersey allows medical and religious exemptions for school-attending students (NJAC 8:57-4.4).
Notes
New Jersey's State Board of Education issued a formal opinion in 1994 that homeschool students are not subject to immunization requirements. This remains the guiding interpretation.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey Administrative Code 8:57-4 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), and Meningococcal (grades 6 and 12). Source: New Jersey Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does New Jersey require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care centers require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per NJ child-care licensing standards (N.J.A.C. 3A:52). Annual influenza vaccination required for children 6-59 months in licensed child-care (N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.19 — first state to mandate flu vaccine for child-care).
▶ Does New Jersey allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
New Jersey allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. The religious exemption is by written statement explaining sincere religious beliefs.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in New Jersey?
Medical: Submit a written statement signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school. Ask the school or the New Jersey Department of Health which form to use. Sources differ on whether other clinicians may sign, so a licensed physician's signature is the safest choice. Confirm with them before using another clinician. Religious: Parent/guardian submits a signed written statement of religious objection to the school. Ask the school or the New Jersey Department of Health what it must say and whether it must be notarized. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires all college and university students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), and Meningococcal vaccination (or signed waiver). Tdap recommended.