Tennessee school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · TN
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)
Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-5001 and Department of Health rules require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7), and Meningococcal (grade 7 and college entry). Hepatitis A required for K-12 beginning 2024-2025 school year.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Tennessee's immunization requirements apply to all public, private, and church-related schools. TCA §49-6-5001 covers 'any school.'
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care agencies require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Tennessee child-care licensing rules.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Tennessee requires all public college and university students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses) and Varicella (2 doses). Students living in campus housing must have meningococcal vaccine.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Tennessee healthcare facilities follow CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Influenza vaccination recommended; some hospital systems require it.
📊 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: Physician (MD/DO) or Public Health Nurse indicates the specific vaccines medically exempted on the Tennessee Certificate of Immunization. Submit to the school. The medical reason does not need to be provided. This comes from Tennessee Department of Health guidance last updated in January 2019. Confirm with your child's school.
Renewal: As indicated by provider.
Approving authority: Physician (MD or DO) or Public Health Nurse
🔗 TDH Summary of Immunization Rules - Certificate Instructions → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian files a signed written statement with the school that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. Schools or districts may have local procedures, including notarization. Confirm with your child's school.
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
🔗 TDH Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program (Exemptions) (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
Tennessee does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-5001, immunization requirements apply to students 'enrolled in public or nonpublic schools,' but homeschool programs registered under TCA §49-6-3050 are independent home schools and not covered by the immunization statute.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for registered independent home school students. The annual attendance report does not include immunization documentation.
Exemptions
Not applicable — registered independent home school students are exempt. Tennessee allows medical and religious exemptions for school-attending students.
Notes
Tennessee Department of Education guidance confirms that independent home school students (category IV and category V under TCA §49-6-3050) are not subject to immunization requirements.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-5001 and Department of Health rules require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7), and Meningococcal (grade 7 and college entry). Hepatitis A required for K-12 beginning 2024-2025 school year. Source: Tennessee Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does Tennessee require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care agencies require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Tennessee child-care licensing rules.
▶ Does Tennessee allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Tennessee allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. Religious exemption requires a signed statement from the parent/guardian.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Tennessee?
Medical: Physician (MD/DO) or Public Health Nurse indicates the specific vaccines medically exempted on the Tennessee Certificate of Immunization. Submit to the school. The medical reason does not need to be provided. This comes from Tennessee Department of Health guidance last updated in January 2019. Confirm with your child's school. Religious: Parent/guardian files a signed written statement with the school that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. Schools or districts may have local procedures, including notarization. Confirm with your child's school. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires all public college and university students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses) and Varicella (2 doses). Students living in campus housing must have meningococcal vaccine.