Pennsylvania school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · PA
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)
Pennsylvania 28 Pa. Code §23.81-§23.87 requires DTaP (4 doses if 4th after age 4, otherwise 5), Polio (4 doses, last after age 4), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7+), and Meningococcal (grade 7+ and grade 12+). Pennsylvania allows medical, religious, and philosophical exemptions.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Pennsylvania's immunization requirements apply to all public, private, and parochial schools. 28 Pa. Code §23.81 covers 'all schools.'
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Pennsylvania Department of Human Services child-care licensing (55 Pa. Code §3270.131).
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Pennsylvania Public School Code §1402 requires all postsecondary students living in campus housing to provide proof of meningococcal vaccination or sign a waiver. Many PA universities additionally require MMR (2 doses).
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Pennsylvania healthcare facilities follow CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Some major health systems (UPMC, Penn Medicine) require influenza vaccination.
📊 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 from a physician or the physician's designee to the school. The state Certificate of Immunization form has a physician signature line for this.
Renewal: Based on provider's determination.
Approving authority: Physician or physician's designee
🔗 Certificate of Immunization (SIR-2, H502.320), Statement of Exemption on page 2 → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian completes form and submits to school. Notarization not required.
Renewal: No yearly renewal is required.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian
🔗 Certificate of Immunization (SIR-2, H502.320), Statement of Exemption on page 2 → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
Documentation: Parent/guardian completes form and submits to school. Notarization not required.
Renewal: No yearly renewal is required.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian
🔗 Certificate of Immunization (SIR-2, H502.320), Statement of Exemption on page 2 → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Pennsylvania requires homeschool students to comply with immunization requirements. Under 24 P.S. §13-1303a, immunization is required for students 'attending school,' and Pennsylvania homeschool law (Act 169 of 1988, 24 P.S. §13-1327.1) requires submission of health and medical records including immunization status with the affidavit filed with the local superintendent.
Reporting
Homeschool families must submit immunization records or exemption statements with the annual notarized affidavit. This is a statutory requirement under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1.
Exemptions
Medical exemptions (physician statement) and religious exemptions (parent statement of religious belief) available. 24 P.S. §13-1303a(c) allows exemption based on religious belief. No philosophical exemption. Religious exemption requires a written statement but not notarization.
Notes
Pennsylvania is a high-regulation homeschool state, and immunization documentation is part of the annual requirements. The portfolio evaluation does not typically review immunization status, but the affidavit must include it. The religious exemption is straightforward and commonly used.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania 28 Pa. Code §23.81-§23.87 requires DTaP (4 doses if 4th after age 4, otherwise 5), Polio (4 doses, last after age 4), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7+), and Meningococcal (grade 7+ and grade 12+). Pennsylvania allows medical, religious, and philosophical exemptions. Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does Pennsylvania require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Pennsylvania Department of Human Services child-care licensing (55 Pa. Code §3270.131).
▶ Does Pennsylvania allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Pennsylvania allows medical, religious and personal-belief exemptions.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Pennsylvania?
Medical: Submit a written statement from a physician or the physician's designee to the school. The state Certificate of Immunization form has a physician signature line for this. Religious: Parent/guardian completes form and submits to school. Notarization not required. Personal-belief: Parent/guardian completes form and submits to school. Notarization not required. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Public School Code §1402 requires all postsecondary students living in campus housing to provide proof of meningococcal vaccination or sign a waiver. Many PA universities additionally require MMR (2 doses).