West Virginia school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · WV
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)
West Virginia Code §16-3-4 and 64 CSR 96 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7), Meningococcal (grade 7 and 12), and Hepatitis A (K-12).
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
West Virginia's strict medical-exemption-only policy applies to all schools including private and parochial. Non-medical exemptions are not recognized under WV Code §16-3-4.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per WV child-care immunization regulations.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission requires MMR (2 doses) for all students. Meningococcal vaccine recommended.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
West Virginia healthcare workers follow CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. West Virginia has some of the highest healthcare worker vaccination rates in the nation.
📊 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: A licensed physician who has treated or examined the child submits the request to the State Immunization Officer, stating which vaccines are involved, the medical contraindication or precaution, and whether the exemption is permanent or temporary. The Immunization Officer approves or denies the request. The decision may be appealed to the State Health Officer. Religious exemptions in West Virginia are the subject of pending litigation. Confirm the current status with your county board of education or the West Virginia Department of Health.
Renewal: Permanent or temporary as determined on the request. Temporary medical exemption requests may not exceed 24 months.
Approving authority: State Immunization Officer
🔗 Request for Medical Exemption From Compulsory Immunization → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
Status unclearFor religious beliefs
In litigation. The State Board of Education has directed county boards not to accept them for now. Confirm with your county board of education.
In litigation. The State Board of Education has directed county boards not to accept them for now. Confirm with your county board of education.
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
West Virginia does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under West Virginia Code §16-3-4, immunization requirements apply to 'children who enter school for the first time,' but West Virginia's homeschool approval process does not require immunization documentation. The WVDE Policy 2320 provides for homeschool without mention of immunization requirements.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for homeschool students.
Exemptions
Not applicable — homeschool students are exempt. For school-attending students, see the exemption section on this page.
Notes
West Virginia's extremely restrictive exemption policy (medical only) for school-attending students makes the homeschool exemption particularly significant. Homeschool families are not subject to the no-non-medical-exemption policy that applies to public and private schools.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
West 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia Code §16-3-4 and 64 CSR 96 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7), Meningococcal (grade 7 and 12), and Hepatitis A (K-12). Source: West Virginia Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does West Virginia require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per WV child-care immunization regulations.
▶ Does West Virginia allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
West Virginia allows medical exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. West Virginia's statute provides a medical exemption. The State Board of Education has directed county boards not to accept religious exemptions until the state Supreme Court gives further guidance, and the question is in litigation. Confirm the current status with your county board of education or the West Virginia Department of Health.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in West Virginia?
Medical: A licensed physician who has treated or examined the child submits the request to the State Immunization Officer, stating which vaccines are involved, the medical contraindication or precaution, and whether the exemption is permanent or temporary. The Immunization Officer approves or denies the request. The decision may be appealed to the State Health Officer. Religious exemptions in West Virginia are the subject of pending litigation. Confirm the current status with your county board of education or the West Virginia Department of Health. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in West Virginia?
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission requires MMR (2 doses) for all students. Meningococcal vaccine recommended.