Virginia school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · VA
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)
Virginia Code §32.1-46 and 12 VAC 5-110 require DTaP (4 doses minimum, 5 doses for kindergarten), Polio (4 doses, last after age 4), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), Meningococcal (grade 7 and 12), and HPV (grade 6 — first dose may be required per school district policy, first state to mandate HPV in 2007 though enforcement remains permissive with opt-out).
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Virginia's school immunization law applies to all public and private schools. Private school enrollment contracts typically require immunization compliance.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Virginia Department of Social Services child-care standards (22 VAC 40-111/185).
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Virginia Code §23.1-805 requires all full-time college students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Tdap (within 10 years), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Meningococcal, and HPV vaccination (or signed waiver). This is one of the most comprehensive postsecondary requirements in the US.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Virginia 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) |
| HPV | ✓ | — | ✓ | 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 written medical exemption certification to the school. The Virginia Department of Health's School Entrance Health Form (MCH213G) includes a medical exemption section. Virginia sources list different signers, so a licensed physician's signature is the safest choice. Confirm with your local health department before using another clinician.
Renewal: According to provider's certification.
Approving authority: Licensed physician (MD or DO); confirm before using another clinician
🔗 School Entrance Health Form MCH213G, Part II Section II (Medical Exemption) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian completes and notarizes Form CRE-1. Submit notarized form to 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 (with notarization)
🔗 Certificate of Religious Exemption, Form CRE-1 (Rev. 00/92) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Virginia does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under Virginia Code §32.1-46, immunization requirements apply to 'any child admitted to a public elementary or secondary school, or to a private school,' but Virginia Code §22.1-254.1 exempts homeschooled students from requirements applicable to enrolled students. The Virginia Department of Education homeschool guidance confirms this.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for homeschool students. The annual Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction does not include immunization documentation.
Exemptions
Not applicable — homeschool students are explicitly exempt. Virginia allows medical and religious exemptions for school-attending students.
Notes
Virginia Code §22.1-254.1(D) provides that: 'The provisions of this section shall not be construed to impose any requirements other than those set forth in this section, nor to subject the parent...to any requirements of Chapter 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 of this title that are not otherwise applicable to a parent...of a child enrolled in a public school.' This is interpreted as exempting homeschool students from immunization requirements.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Virginia 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 Virginia?
Virginia Code §32.1-46 and 12 VAC 5-110 require DTaP (4 doses minimum, 5 doses for kindergarten), Polio (4 doses, last after age 4), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grade 6), Meningococcal (grade 7 and 12), and HPV (grade 6 — first dose may be required per school district policy, first state to mandate HPV in 2007 though enforcement remains permissive with opt-out). Source: Virginia Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does Virginia require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Virginia Department of Social Services child-care standards (22 VAC 40-111/185).
▶ Does Virginia allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Virginia allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. Religious exemption requires notarized Form CRE-1.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Virginia?
Medical: Submit written medical exemption certification to the school. The Virginia Department of Health's School Entrance Health Form (MCH213G) includes a medical exemption section. Virginia sources list different signers, so a licensed physician's signature is the safest choice. Confirm with your local health department before using another clinician. Religious: Parent/guardian completes and notarizes Form CRE-1. Submit notarized form to school. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Virginia?
Virginia Code §23.1-805 requires all full-time college students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Tdap (within 10 years), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Meningococcal, and HPV vaccination (or signed waiver). This is one of the most comprehensive postsecondary requirements in the US.