New York school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · NY
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 York Public Health Law §2164 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grades 6-12), Meningococcal (grades 7 and 12), and Hib (preschool only). New York eliminated religious exemptions in 2019. Only medical exemptions remain.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
New York's strict medical-exemption-only policy applies to all public, private, and parochial schools. The religious exemption elimination was specifically upheld for private school students as well.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care programs require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, and annual influenza (children 6-59 months) per NYCRR Title 10, Subpart 66-1. New York City has additional, stricter requirements through the NYC Health Code.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
New York Public Health Law §2165 requires all postsecondary students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses) and Meningococcal vaccination (or signed declination). Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must comply.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
New York requires all healthcare workers in hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic and treatment centers, and home health agencies to receive annual influenza vaccination or wear a surgical mask during flu season (NYCRR Title 10, §2.59). Hepatitis B per OSHA.
📊 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 physician licensed to practice medicine in New York to the school. The form requires the specific medical contraindication to be stated.
Renewal: Not stated in the official sources we read. Check each school year and confirm with the school or health department.
Approving authority: Physician licensed in New York
🔗 Medical Exemption Statement for Children 0-18 Years (DOH-5077) → (opens in a new tab)🙏 Religious
Not AvailableFor religious beliefs
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
New York requires homeschool students to comply with immunization requirements. Under New York Public Health Law §2164, immunization is required for 'every child in this state,' and this extends to homeschool students. The Commissioner's Regulation 100.10(h) governing home instruction requires compliance with immunization requirements.
Reporting
Homeschool families must submit immunization records or exemption documentation with the Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) and quarterly reports to the school district.
Exemptions
Medical exemptions only. New York eliminated religious exemptions in 2019. A medical exemption requires a licensed physician's statement with the specific medical contraindication.
Notes
Confirm how the immunization requirement applies to homeschool students with your school district or the New York State Department of Health.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
New York 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 York?
New York Public Health Law §2164 requires DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grades 6-12), Meningococcal (grades 7 and 12), and Hib (preschool only). New York eliminated religious exemptions in 2019. Only medical exemptions remain. Source: New York State Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does New York require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care programs require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, and annual influenza (children 6-59 months) per NYCRR Title 10, Subpart 66-1. New York City has additional, stricter requirements through the NYC Health Code.
▶ Does New York allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
New York allows medical exemptions; religious and personal-belief exemptions are not available. As of June 2019, New York eliminated non-medical exemptions. Only medical exemptions are accepted.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in New York?
Medical: Submit form signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in New York to the school. The form requires the specific medical contraindication to be stated. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in New York?
New York Public Health Law §2165 requires all postsecondary students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses) and Meningococcal vaccination (or signed declination). Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must comply.