Ohio school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · OH
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)
Ohio Revised Code §3313.671 and Ohio Administrative Code 3701-8-02 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grades 7-12), and Meningococcal (grade 7 and 12).
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Ohio law requires private and parochial schools to comply with the state immunization law. Annual reporting to the Ohio Department of Health is required.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care centers require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Ohio Department of Job and Family Services child-care licensing.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Ohio public universities do not have a statewide mandate. Ohio State University requires MMR (2 doses) and Hepatitis B (3 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Ohio healthcare facilities follow CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Influenza vaccination 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: The child's physician certifies in writing that the immunization is medically contraindicated. Submit the certification to the school.
Renewal: According to the healthcare provider's statement.
Approving authority: Physician
🔗 Ohio Revised Code 3313.671 (no state form) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian submits a written statement to the school declining immunization for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. The statute does not name a state form. Notarization not required. Ask the school whether it uses its own form.
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
🔗 Ohio Revised Code 3313.671 (no state form) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
Documentation: Parent/guardian submits a written statement to the school declining immunization for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. The statute does not name a state form. Notarization not required. Ask the school whether it uses its own form.
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
🔗 Ohio Revised Code 3313.671 (no state form) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Ohio does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under Ohio Revised Code §3313.671, immunization requirements apply to students 'enrolled in any school,' but Ohio Administrative Code 3301-34 (home education regulation) does not require immunization documentation as part of the homeschool notification process.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required as part of Ohio homeschool regulations. The annual notification (assessment report) does not include immunization review.
Exemptions
Not applicable — homeschool students are exempt. Ohio allows medical and religious/philosophical exemptions for school-attending students.
Notes
Ohio's homeschool regulations (OAC 3301-34) are explicit about what must be submitted (notification, assessment, curriculum outline) and immunization is not on the list. The Ohio Department of Education homeschool FAQ confirms this.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Ohio 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 Ohio?
Ohio Revised Code §3313.671 and Ohio Administrative Code 3701-8-02 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grades 7-12), and Meningococcal (grade 7 and 12). Source: Ohio Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does Ohio require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care centers require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Ohio Department of Job and Family Services child-care licensing.
▶ Does Ohio allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Ohio allows medical, religious and personal-belief exemptions. The non-medical exemption requires a written statement from the parent or guardian.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Ohio?
Medical: The child's physician certifies in writing that the immunization is medically contraindicated. Submit the certification to the school. Religious: Parent/guardian submits a written statement to the school declining immunization for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. The statute does not name a state form. Notarization not required. Ask the school whether it uses its own form. Personal-belief: Parent/guardian submits a written statement to the school declining immunization for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. The statute does not name a state form. Notarization not required. Ask the school whether it uses its own form. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Ohio?
Ohio public universities do not have a statewide mandate. Ohio State University requires MMR (2 doses) and Hepatitis B (3 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended.