New Mexico school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · NM
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 Mexico Administrative Code 6.12.2.9 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 7), and Meningococcal (grades 7-12). Hepatitis A required for elementary school entry.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
New Mexico Public Education Department applies immunization requirements to all schools including private and homeschool programs.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A (age-appropriate) per NM Children, Youth and Families Department licensing.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
New Mexico public universities require MMR (2 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended for residential students.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
New Mexico healthcare facilities follow CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Influenza 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) |
| 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: Parent/guardian completes the Certificate of Exemption, attaches a letter from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner, signs before a notary, and files it with the New Mexico Department of Health for approval. The Department has 60 days to decide. Take the approved copy to the school.
Renewal: Valid for up to twelve months. A new certificate and approval are needed after that.
Approving authority: New Mexico Department of Health, on a certificate from an MD, DO, CNP, or PA
🔗 Certificate of Exemption from School/Daycare Immunization Requirements → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian completes the Certificate of Exemption with a written religious affirmation or an attached affidavit, signs before a notary, and files it with the New Mexico Department of Health for approval. The Department has 60 days to decide. Take the approved copy to the school.
Renewal: Every year: an approved exemption lasts up to 12 months, then a new form must be filed and approved.
Approving authority: New Mexico Department of Health
🔗 Certificate of Exemption from School/Daycare Immunization Requirements → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
New Mexico requires homeschool students to comply with immunization requirements. Under New Mexico Administrative Code 6.12.2.9, 'each person responsible for a student who registers in a school in New Mexico shall provide evidence of immunization,' and New Mexico homeschool regulations (NMAC 6.12.2) classify registered homeschools as 'schools' for this purpose.
Reporting
Homeschool families must maintain immunization records and provide them to the Public Education Department (PED) upon request. Some districts require immunization documentation at initial registration.
Exemptions
Medical exemptions (physician statement) and religious exemptions (parent affidavit) available. NMAC 6.12.2.9(E) governs the religious exemption process — parent must provide a signed affidavit with specific language. No philosophical/personal belief exemption.
Notes
New Mexico homeschool families must submit a Notification of Establishment form and maintain immunization records. The PED may request records but routine annual submission is not required.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
New Mexico 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 Mexico?
New Mexico Administrative Code 6.12.2.9 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 7), and Meningococcal (grades 7-12). Hepatitis A required for elementary school entry. Source: New Mexico Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does New Mexico require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A (age-appropriate) per NM Children, Youth and Families Department licensing.
▶ Does New Mexico allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
New Mexico allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in New Mexico?
Medical: Parent/guardian completes the Certificate of Exemption, attaches a letter from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner, signs before a notary, and files it with the New Mexico Department of Health for approval. The Department has 60 days to decide. Take the approved copy to the school. Religious: Parent/guardian completes the Certificate of Exemption with a written religious affirmation or an attached affidavit, signs before a notary, and files it with the New Mexico Department of Health for approval. The Department has 60 days to decide. Take the approved copy to the school. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in New Mexico?
New Mexico public universities require MMR (2 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended for residential students.