All states require children to be immunized or to be in the process of receiving immunizations against certain contagious diseases before a child care facility or a school may admit them. For each state, the immunization schedule may be found in the state code or its administrative regulations, usually in the sections governing education (for schools) or public health (for child care facilities). Besides specific vaccine requirements, these schedules may also refer to the schedules provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, American Academy of Family Physicians, or American Academy of Pediatrics.
Where states significantly differ is in their recognition of exemptions from vaccination. All states grant a medical exemption to children who cannot be immunized for health reasons. For example, the administration of a vaccine may be contraindicated in children who are allergic to a component of the vaccine or have a suppressed immune system. These exemptions are specific to the vaccine and health condition, and remain so long as the contraindication lasts.
Additionally, 48 states and the District of Columbia permit parents to claim a non-scientific exemption, such as if their religious tenets or practices conflict with immunization or if their personal, philosophical or moral beliefs are opposed to immunization. The lone holdouts are Mississippi and West Virginia. However, in the event of an outbreak, child care facilities and schools may exclude children who have not been vaccinated against the disease until the end of the outbreak.
Verdict offers some insightful analysis into the issue of religious exemptions:
How to Craft a Religious Exemption Regime Guaranteed to Be Dangerous for Children:
The Case of Idaho. By Professor Marci A. Hamilton.
The Deep Roots of the Left/Right Anti-Vaxxer Coalition. By Professor Michael C. Dorf.
The Vaccine for Pollyanna Attitudes Toward Public Health and Religious Beliefs:
Religious Exemptions for Vaccinations and Medical Neglect Need to Be Repealed Now and the Federal Government (and the Insurance Industry) Need to Incentivize the States to Do So. By Professor Marci A. Hamilton.
Below, you will find links to state codes, statutes and regulations governing the immunization of children who attend day care, child care, elementary schools, private schools and colleges.
Alabama School Immunization Law – AL Code § 16-30-1
Medical Exemption: Certification by a competent medical authority providing individual exemption from the required immunization or testing is presented the admissions officer of the school.
Religious Exemption: In the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat thereof, the parent or guardian of the child shall object thereto in writing on grounds that such immunization or testing conflicts with his religious tenets and practices.
Alabama School Immunization Regulations – Ala. Admin Code, Regulation 420-6-1
Religious Exemption: A written objection from the parent or guardian of a student or child based on religious tenets and practices shall be submitted in person by the parent or guardian to the County Health Department for issuance of a Certificate of Religious Exemption from the required immunizations or testing.
Medical Exemption: A written objection from the parent or guardian of a student or child based on religious tenets and practices shall be submitted in person by the parent or guardian to the County Health Department for issuance of a Certificate of Religious Exemption from the required immunizations or testing.
Alaska School Immunization Law – 4 AAC 06.055
Medical Exemption: This section does not apply if the child has a statement signed by a doctor of medicine (M.D.), doctor of osteopathy (D.O.), physician assistant, or advanced nurse practitioner licensed to practice in this state, stating that immunizations would, in that individual’s professional opinion, be injurious to the health of the child or members of the child’s family or household.
Religious Exemption: This section does not apply if the child has an affidavit signed by his parent or guardian affirming that immunization conflicts with the tenets and practices of the church or religious denomination of which the applicant is a member.
Arizona Child Care Immunization Law – AZ Rev Stat § 36-883
Religious Belief Exemption: Any rule that relates to educational activities, physical examination, medical treatment or immunization shall include appropriate exemptions for children whose parents object on the ground that it conflicts with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination of which the parent or child is an adherent or member.
Arizona School Immunization Law – AZ Rev Stat § 15-872
Medical Exemption: The school administrator receives written certification that is signed by the parent or guardian and by a physician or a registered nurse practitioner, that states that one or more of the required immunizations may be detrimental to the pupil’s health and that indicates the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstance that precludes immunization.
Personal Belief Exemption: The parent or guardian of the pupil submits a signed statement to the school administrator stating that the parent or guardian has received information about immunizations provided by the department of health services and understands the risks and benefits of immunizations and the potential risks of nonimmunization and that due to personal beliefs, the parent or guardian does not consent to the immunization of the pupil.
Arizona Child Care and School Immunization Regulations – Ariz. Admin. Code R9-6-701
Arizona Child Care Immunization Regulations – Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-305
Arkansas School Immunization Law – AR Code § 6-18-702
Medical Exemption: If in the discretion of the health authority having jurisdiction or of any physician licensed to practice by the Arkansas State Medical Board any person to whom this section applies shall be deemed to have a physical disability that may contraindicate vaccination, a certificate to that effect issued by the health officer may be accepted in lieu of a certificate of vaccination, provided that the exemption shall not apply when the disability shall have been removed.
Religious or Philosophical Beliefs Exemption: This section shall not apply if the parents or legal guardian of that child object thereto on the grounds that immunization conflicts with the religious or philosophical beliefs of the parent or guardian.
California School Immunization Law – CA Health & Safety Code § 120325
Medical Exemption: If the parent or guardian files with the governing authority a written statement by a licensed physician to the effect that the physical condition of the child is such, or medical circumstances relating to the child are such, that immunization is not considered safe, indicating the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstances that contraindicate immunization, that person shall be exempt from the requirements of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 120325, but excluding Section 120380) and Sections 120400, 120405, 120410, and 120415 to the extent indicated by the physician’s statement.
Personal Belief Exemption. Immunization of a person shall not be required for admission to a school or other institution listed in Section 120335 if the parent or guardian or adult who has assumed responsibility for his or her care and custody in the case of a minor, or the person seeking admission if an emancipated minor, files with the governing authority a letter or affidavit that documents which immunizations required by Section 120355 have been given and which immunizations have not been given on the basis that they are contrary to his or her beliefs.
California College Immunization Law – CA Health & Safety Code § 120390.5
Medical Exemption: If a person seeking enrollment in an institution of higher education to which subdivision (a) is applicable, or the parent or guardian of a person seeking enrollment, files with the governing body a written statement by a physician and surgeon that the physical condition of the person or medical circumstances relating to the person are such that immunization is not considered safe, indicating the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstances that contraindicate immunization, that person shall be exempt from the requirements of subdivision (a).
Personal Belief Exemption: Immunization of a person shall not be required for admission to an institution of higher education to which subdivision (a) is applicable if any of the following persons files with the governing body of the educational institution a letter or affidavit stating that the immunization is contrary to the beliefs of either of the following: (1) The parent, guardian, or adult who has assumed responsibility for the care and custody of the person seeking admission, if that applicant is a minor who is not emancipated or who is 17 years of age or younger. (2) The person seeking admission, if that applicant is an emancipated minor or is 18 years of age.
Colorado School Immunization Law – CO Rev. Stat. § 25-4-901
Colorado College Immunization Law – CO Rev. Stat. § 25-4-902.5
Medical Exemption: By submitting to the student’s school certification from a licensed physician or advanced practice nurse that the physical condition of the student is such that one or more specified immunizations would endanger his or her life or health or is medically contraindicated due to other medical conditions.
Religious or Personal Belief Exemption: By submitting to the student’s school a statement of exemption signed by one parent or guardian or the emancipated student or student eighteen years of age or older that the parent, guardian, or student is an adherent to a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to immunizations or that the parent or guardian or the emancipated student or student eighteen years of age or older has a personal belief that is opposed to immunizations.
Colorado Immunization Regulations – 6 CCR 1009-2
Medical Exemption: By submitting to the student’s school a Certificate of Immunization with the statement of medical exemption signed by an advanced practice nurse or physician licensed to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in any state or territory of the United States indicating that the physical condition of the student is such that immunizations would endanger his/her life or health or is medically contraindicated due to other medical conditions.
Religious Exemption: By submitting to the student’s school a Certificate of Immunization with the statement of religious exemption signed by the parent(s) or the emancipated student indicating that the parent(s) or emancipated student is an adherent to a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to immunizations.
Personal Belief Exemption: By submitting to the student’s school a Certificate of Immunization with the statement of personal exemption signed by the parent(s) or the emancipated student indicating that the parent(s) or emancipated student has a personal belief that is opposed to immunizations.
Connecticut School Immunization Law – CT Gen Stat § 10-204a
Medical Exemption: Any such child who presents a certificate from a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse stating that in the opinion of such physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse such immunization is medically contraindicated because of the physical condition of such child shall be exempt from the appropriate provisions of this section.
Religious Belief Exemption: Any such child who presents a statement from the parents or guardian of such child that such immunization would be contrary to the religious beliefs of such child shall be exempt from the appropriate provisions of this section.
Connecticut Child Care Immunization Law – CT Gen Stat § 19a-79
Medical and Religious Belief Exemption: Including appropriate exemptions for children for whom such immunization is medically contraindicated and for children whose parents object to such immunization on religious grounds.
Connecticut College Immunization Law – CT Gen Stat § 10a-155
Medical Exemption: Any such student who (1) presents a certificate from a physician or an advanced practice registered nurse stating that in the opinion of such physician or advanced practice registered nurse such immunization is medically contraindicated, shall be exempt from the appropriate provisions of this section.
Religious Belief Exemption: Any such student who provides a statement that such immunization would be contrary to his religious beliefs shall be exempt from the appropriate provisions of this section.
Delaware School Immunization Law – 2 DE Code § 131
Medical Exemption: Provision for exemption from any or all of the immunization program prescribed for a particular enrollee upon a written statement from a physician, i.e., medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy, stating that the enrollee should not receive the prescribed immunization or immunizations required in the basic series because of the reasonable certainty of a reaction detrimental to that person.
Religious Belief Exemption. Provision for exemption from the immunization program for an enrollee whose parents or legal guardian, because of individual religious beliefs, reject the concept of immunization.
Delaware Child Care Immunization Law – 16 DE Admin. Code 4202
Medical Exemption: Immunization requirements pursuant to sections 7.1.1 – 7.1.2 shall be waived for children whose physicians have submitted, in writing, that a specific immunizing agent would be detrimental to that child
Religious Belief Exemption: Immunization requirements pursuant to sections 7.1.1 – 7.1.2 shall be waived for children whose parents or guardians present a notarized document that immunization is against their religious beliefs.
District of Columbia School Immunization Law – DC Code § 38-501
Medical Exemption: No certification of immunization shall be required for the admission to a school of a student for whom the school has written certification by a private physician, his or her representative, or the public health authorities that immunization is medically inadvisable.
Religious Belief Exemption: No certification of immunization shall be required for the admission to a school of a student for whom the responsible person objects in good faith and in writing, to the chief official of the school, that immunization would violate his or her religious beliefs.
Florida School Immunization Law – FL Stat § 1003.22
Medical Exemption: A physician licensed under the provisions of chapter 458 or chapter 459 certifies in writing, on a form approved and provided by the Department of Health, that the child should be permanently exempt from the required immunization for medical reasons stated in writing, based upon valid clinical reasoning or evidence, demonstrating the need for the permanent exemption.
Religious Belief Exemption: The provisions of this section shall not apply if the parent of the child objects in writing that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with his or her religious tenets or practices.
Florida Child Care Immunization Law – FL Stat § 402.305
Florida College Immunization Law – FL Stat § 1006.69
Exemption: An individual enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution who will be residing in on-campus housing shall provide documentation of vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B unless the individual, if the individual is 18 years of age or older, or the individual’s parent, if the individual is a minor, declines the vaccinations by signing a separate waiver for each of these vaccines, provided by the institution, acknowledging receipt and review of the information provided.
Georgia School Immunization Law – O.C.G.A. 20-2-771
Medical Exemption: If, after examination by the local board of health or any physician licensed under the laws of this state or of any other state having comparable laws governing the licensure of physicians, any child to whom this Code section applies is found to have any physical disability which may make vaccination undesirable, a certificate to that effect issued by the local board of health or such physician licensed under the laws of this or such other state may be accepted in lieu of a certificate of immunization and shall exempt the child from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of immunization until the disability is relieved.
Religious Belief Exemption: This Code section shall not apply to a child whose parent or legal guardian objects to immunization of the child on the grounds that the immunization conflicts with the religious beliefs of the parent or guardian; however, the immunization may be required in cases when such disease is in epidemic stages. For a child to be exempt from immunization on religious grounds, the parent or guardian must first furnish the responsible official of the school or facility an affidavit in which the parent or guardian swears or affirms that the immunization required conflicts with the religious beliefs of the parent or guardian.
Georgia College Immunization Law – O.C.G.A. 31-12-3.2
Hawaii School Immunization Law – HI Rev Stat § 302A-1154
Medical Exemption: A child may be exempted from the required immunizations if a licensed physician or physician assistant certifies that the physical condition of the child is such that immunizations would endanger the child’s life or health.
Religious Belief Exemption: A child may be exempted from the required immunizations if any parent, custodian, guardian, or any other person in loco parentis to a child objects to immunization in writing on the grounds that the immunization conflicts with that person’s bona fide religious tenets and practices. Upon showing the appropriate school official satisfactory evidence of the exemption, no certificate or other evidence of immunization shall be required for entry into school.
Hawaii Immunization Law – HI Rev Stat § 325-32
Medical Exemption: Section 325-32 shall be construed not to require the vaccination or immunization of any person for three months after a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or an authorized representative of the department of health has signed two copies of a certificate stating the name and address of the person and that because of a stated cause the health of the person would be endangered by the vaccination or immunization, and has forwarded the original copy of the certificate to the person or, if the person is a minor or under guardianship, to the person’s parent or guardian, and has forwarded the duplicate copy of the certificate to the department for its files.
Religious Belief Exemption: No person shall be subjected to vaccination, revaccination or immunization, who shall in writing object thereto on the grounds that the requirements are not in accordance with the religious tenets of an established church of which the person is a member or adherent, or, if the person is a minor or under guardianship, whose parent or guardian shall in writing object thereto on such grounds, but no objection shall be recognized when, in the opinion of the director of health, there is danger of an epidemic from any communicable disease.
Idaho School Immunization Law – ID Code § 39-4801
Medical Exemption: Any minor child whose parent or guardian has submitted to school officials a certificate signed by a physician licensed by the state board of medicine stating that the physical condition of the child is such that all or any of the required immunizations would endanger the life or health of the child shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
Religious or Other Belief Exemption: Any minor child whose parent or guardian has submitted a signed statement to school officials stating their objections on religious or other grounds shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
Idaho Child Care Immunization Law – ID Code § 39-1118
Medical Exemption: Any minor child whose parent or guardian has submitted to officials of a licensed daycare facility a certificate signed by a physician licensed by the state board of medicine stating that the physical condition of the child is such that all or any of the required immunizations would endanger the life or health of the child shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
Religious or Other Belief Exemption: Any minor child whose parent or guardian has submitted a signed statement to officials of the daycare facility stating their objections on religious or other grounds shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
Illinois School Immunization Law – 105 ILCS 5/27-8.1
Medical Exemption: If the physical condition of the child is such that any one or more of the immunizing agents should not be administered, the examining physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant responsible for the performance of the health examination shall endorse that fact upon the health examination form.
Religious Belief Exemption: Parents or legal guardians who object to health, dental, or eye examinations or any part thereof, or to immunizations, on religious grounds shall not be required to submit their children or wards to the examinations or immunizations to which they so object if such parents or legal guardians present to the appropriate local school authority a signed statement of objection, detailing the grounds for the objection.
Illinois Child Care Immunization Law – 225 ILCS 10/7
Religious Belief Exemption: Any standards involving immunization shall include appropriate exemptions for children whose parents object thereto on the grounds that they conflict with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious organization, of which the parent is an adherent or member, and for children who should not be subjected to immunization for clinical reasons.
Indiana School Immunization Law – IC 20-34-4-1
Medical Exemption: If a physician certifies that a particular immunization required by this chapter or IC 20-34-4 is or may be detrimental to a student’s health, the requirements of this chapter or IC 20-34-4 for that particular immunization is inapplicable for the student until the immunization is found no longer detrimental to the student’s health.
Religious Exemption: Except as otherwise provided, a student may not be required to undergo any testing, examination, immunization, or treatment required under this chapter or IC 20-34-4 when the child’s parent objects on religious grounds.
Indiana Child Care Center Immunization Law – IC 12-17.2-4-18.1
Medical Exemption: A licensee meets the requirement of subsection (a) if the child’s physician provides documentation of a medical reason the child should not be immunized.
Religious Belief Exemption: A licensee meets the requirement of subsection (a) if a child’s parent objects to immunizations for religious reasons; and provides documentation of the parent’s objection.
Indiana Child Care Homes Immunization Law – IC 12-17.2-5-18.1
Medical Exemption: A licensee meets the requirement of subsection (a) if the child’s physician provides documentation of a medical reason the child should not be immunized.
Religious Belief Exemption: A licensee meets the requirement of subsection (a) if a child’s parent objects to immunizations for religious reasons; and provides documentation of the parent’s objection.
Indiana Child Care Ministries Immunization Law – IC 12-17.2-6-11
Medical Exemption: If a physician certifies that a particular immunization required by this section is or may be detrimental to the child’s health, the requirements of this section for that particular immunization are inapplicable to that child until the immunization is found to be no longer detrimental to the child’s health.
Religious Belief Exemption: A child enrolled in a child care ministry may not be required to undergo an immunization required under this section if the parents object for religious reasons. The objection must be (1) made in writing; (2) signed by the child’s parent or guardian; and (3) delivered to the child care ministry.
Iowa Immunization Law – IA Code § 139A.8
Medical Exemption: The applicant, or if the applicant is a minor, the applicant’s parent or legal guardian, submits to the admitting official a statement signed by a physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who is licensed by the board of medicine, board of nursing, or board of physician assistants that the immunizations required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the applicant or any member of the applicant’s family.
Religious Belief Exemption: The applicant, or if the applicant is a minor, the applicant’s parent or legal guardian, submits an affidavit signed by the applicant, or if the applicant is a minor, the applicant’s parent or legal guardian, stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practices of a recognized religious denomination of which the applicant is an adherent or member.
Kansas Child Care Immunization Law – KS Stat § 65-508
Medical Exemption: The immunization requirement of subsection (d) shall not apply if one of the following is obtained: (1) Certification from a licensed physician stating that the physical condition of the child is such that immunization would endanger the child’s life or health.
Religious Belief Exemption: The immunization requirement of subsection (d) shall not apply if one of the following is obtained: (2) a written statement signed by a parent or guardian that the parent or guardian is an adherent of a religious denomination whose teachings are opposed to immunizations.
Kansas School Immunization Law – KS Stat §72-5209
Medical Exemption: As an alternative to the certification required, a pupil shall present an annual written statement signed by a licensed physician stating the physical condition of the child to be such that the tests or inoculations would seriously endanger the life or health of the child.
Religious Belief Exemption: As an current to the certification required, a pupil shall present a written statement signed by one parent or guardian that the child is an adherent of a religious denomination whose religious teachings are opposed to such tests or inoculations.
Kentucky Student Immunization Law – KY Rev Stat § 158.035
Kentucky Immunization Law – KY Rev Stat § 214.034
Medical Exemption: Nothing contained in KRS 158.035, 214.010, 214.020, 214.032 to 214.036, and 214.990 shall be construed to require the testing for tuberculosis or the immunization of any child at a time when, in the written opinion of his attending physician, such testing or immunization would be injurious to the child’s health.
Religious Belief Exemption: Nothing contained in KRS 158.035, 214.010, 214.020, 214.032 to 214.036, and 214.990 shall be construed to require the testing for tuberculosis or the immunization of any child at a time when, in the written opinion of his attending physician, such testing or immunization would be injurious to the child’s health.
Louisiana School Immunization Law – LA Rev Stat § 17:170
Medical, Religious and Philosophical Exemption. Medical, religious, and philosophic exemptions will be allowed for compliance with regulations concerning day care attendees and school enterers.
Louisiana College Immunization Law – LA Rev Stat § 17:170.1
Medical Exemption: The provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall not apply to the following persons: (3) Any person who has submitted a written statement from a physician stating that the procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons or, if a minor, any person whose parent, tutor, or legal guardian has submitted such a statement.
Religious or Personal Belief Exemption: The provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall not apply to the following persons: (1) Any person who is eighteen years of age or older and who signs a waiver provided by the postsecondary education institution stating that the person has received and reviewed the information provided pursuant to Subsection B of this Section and has chosen not to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease for religious or other personal reasons. (2) Any person who is a minor and whose parent, tutor, or legal guardian signs a waiver stating that the person has received and reviewed the information provided pursuant to Subsection B of this Section and has chosen for the student not to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease for religious or other personal reasons.
Maine Child Care Immunization Law – 10-148 CMR 32 § 17.
Religious or Personal Belief Exemption: No child shall be required under this rule to have any such immunization if his/her parent(s) states in writing a sincere religious or philosophical belief that it is contrary to the immunization requirements of this rule.
Medical Exemption: No child shall be required under this rule to have any such immunization if the child’s physician submits documentation that immunization against one or more of the diseases is medically inadvisable.
Maine School Immunization Law – ME Rev Stat § 6352
Medical Exemption: The parent or the child provides a physician’s written statement that immunization against one or more of the diseases may be medically inadvisable.
Philosophical or Religious Exemption. The parent states in writing a sincere religious belief that is contrary to the immunization requirement of this subchapter or an opposition to the immunization for philosophical reasons.
Maryland Family Day Care Immunization Regulations – COMAR 13A.15.03.02
Maryland Child Care Center Immunization Regulations – COMAR 13A.16.03.04
Medical Exemption: A licensed physician or a health officer has determined that immunization is medically contraindicated according to accepted medical standards.
Religious Exemption: The parent objects to the child’s immunization because it conflicts with the parent’s bona fide religious beliefs and practices.
Maryland School Immunization Regulations – COMAR 10.06.04.03
Medical Exemption: requirements of Regulation .03 of this chapter do not apply to a student who presents a licensed physician’s or health officer’s written statement that the student’s immunization against a disease in Regulation .03 of this chapter is medically contraindicated.
Maryland Immunization Law – MD Educ Code § 7-403
Religious Belief Exemption: Unless the Secretary declares an emergency or disease epidemic, the Department may not require the immunization of an individual if (1) The individual objects to immunization because it conflicts with the individual’s bona fide religious beliefs and practices; or (2) The individual is a minor and the individual’s parent or guardian objects to immunization because it conflicts with the parent or guardian’s bona fide religious beliefs and practices.
Massachusetts Immunization Law – MA Gen L ch 76 § 15
Medical Exemption: A child shall be admitted to school upon certification by a physician that he has personally examined such child and that in his opinion the physical condition of the child is such that his health would be endangered by such vaccination or by any of such immunizations.
Religious Belief Exemption: In the absence of an emergency or epidemic of disease declared by the department of public health, no child whose parent or guardian states in writing that vaccination or immunization conflicts with his sincere religious beliefs shall be required to present said physician’s certificate in order to be admitted to school.
Massachusetts School Immunization Regulations – 105 CMR 220.000
Medical or Religious Belief Exemption: The requirements in 105 CMR 220.500 (A) and (B) shall not apply: (1) upon presentation of written documentation that the student meets the standards for medical or religious exemption set forth in M.G.L. c. 76, § 15.
Michigan Immunization Law – MI Comp L § 333.9205
Michigan Preschool Immunization Law – MI Comp L § 333.9211
Michigan School Immunization Law – MI Comp L § 333.9208
Medical Exemption: A child is exempt from the requirements of this part as to a specific immunization for any period of time as to which a physician certifies that a specific immunization is or may be detrimental to the child’s health or is not appropriate.
Religious or Personal Belief Exemption: A child is exempt from this part if a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of the child presents a written statement to the administrator of the child’s school or operator of the group program to the effect that the requirements of this part cannot be met because of religious convictions or other objection to immunization.
Michigan School Immunization Regulations Mich. Admin Code R. 325-176
Medical Exemption: “Medical exemption” means a written statement from a physician that a vaccination is medically contraindicated for a particular child for a specified period of time.
Religious or Personal Belief Exemption: “Religious or other exemption” means a written statement which is signed by the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of a child, which certifies that immunization is in conflict with religious or other convictions of the signer, and which includes the name and date of birth of the child.
Minnesota School Immunization Law – MN Stat § 121A.15
Medical Exemption: If a statement, signed by a physician, is submitted to the administrator or other person having general control and supervision of the school or child care facility stating that an immunization is contraindicated for medical reasons or that laboratory confirmation of the presence of adequate immunity exists, the immunization specified in the statement need not be required.
Personal Belief Exemption: If a notarized statement signed by the minor child’s parent or guardian or by the emancipated person is submitted to the administrator or other person having general control and supervision of the school or child care facility stating that the person has not been immunized as prescribed in subdivision 1 because of the conscientiously held beliefs of the parent or guardian of the minor child or of the emancipated person, the immunizations specified in the statement shall not be required.
Minnesota College Immunization Law – MN Stat § 135A.14
Medical Exemption: An immunization listed in subdivision 2 is not required if the student submits to the administrator a statement signed by a physician that shows that, for medical reasons, the student did not receive an immunization.
Personal Belief Exemption: If the student submits a notarized statement that the student has not been immunized as required in subdivision 2 because of the student’s conscientiously held beliefs, the immunizations described in subdivision 2 are not required.
Mississippi Immunization Law – MS Code § 41-23-37
Medical Exemption: A certificate of exemption from vaccination for medical reasons may be offered on behalf of a child by a duly licensed physician and may be accepted by the local health officer when, in his opinion, such exemption will not cause undue risk to the community.
Missouri Child Care Immunization Law – MO Rev Stat § 210.003
Medical Exemption: A medical exemption, by which a child shall be exempted from the requirements of this section upon certification by a licensed physician that such immunization would seriously endanger the child’s health or life.
Personal Belief Exemption: A parent or guardian exemption, by which a child shall be exempted from the requirements of this section if one parent or guardian files a written objection to immunization with the day care administrator.
Missouri School Immunization Law – MO Rev Stat § 167.181
Medical and Religious Belief Exemption: This section shall not apply to any child if one parent or guardian objects in writing to his school administrator against the immunization of the child, because of religious beliefs or medical contraindications.
Montana School Immunization Law – MT Code § 20-5-403
Medical Exemption: When a parent, guardian, or adult who has the responsibility for the care and custody of a minor seeking to attend school or the person seeking to attend school, if an adult, files with the governing authority a written statement signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in any jurisdiction of the United States or Canada stating that the physical condition of the person seeking to attend school or medical circumstances relating to the person indicate that some or all of the required immunizations are not considered safe and indicating the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstances that contraindicate immunization, the person is exempt from the requirements of this part to the extent indicated by the physician’s statement. The statement must be maintained as part of the person’s immunization records.
Religious Exemption: When a parent, guardian, or adult who has the responsibility for the care and custody of a minor seeking to attend school or the person seeking to attend school, if an adult, signs and files with the governing authority, prior to the commencement of attendance each school year, a notarized affidavit on a form prescribed by the department stating that immunization is contrary to the religious tenets and practices of the signer, immunization of the person seeking to attend the school may not be required prior to attendance at the school. The statement must be maintained as part of the person’s immunization records. A person who falsely claims a religious exemption is subject to the penalty for false swearing provided in 45-7-202.
Montana Day Care Immunization Regulations – Mont. Admin. R. 37.95.140
Medical Exemption: A child seeking to attend a day care facility is not required to have any immunizations which are medically contraindicated. A written and signed statement from a physician that an immunization is medically contraindicated will exempt a person from the applicable immunization requirements of this rule.
Religious Belief Exemption: A child under five years of age seeking to attend a day care facility is not required to be immunized against Haemophilus influenza type B if the parent or guardian of the child objects thereto in a signed, written statement indicating that the proposed immunization interferes with the free exercise of the religious beliefs of the person signing the statement.
Montana School Immunization Regulation – Mont. Admin. R. 37.114.7
Medical Exemption: A prospective pupil seeking to attend school is not required to have any immunizations which are medically contraindicated. A written and signed statement from a physician that an immunization is medically contraindicated will exempt a prospective pupil from those immunization requirements as deemed necessary by the physician.
Religious Belief Exemption: A prospective pupil seeking to attend school is exempt from all or part of the immunization requirements if the parent or guardian of that prospective pupil, an adult responsible for that prospective pupil, or the prospective pupil if an adult or an emancipated minor, objects thereto in a signed, written statement indicating that the proposed immunization interferes with the free exercise of the religious beliefs of the person signing the statement.
Nebraska Child Care Immunization Law – NE Code § 71-1913.01.
Medical Exemption: certification by a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse practicing under and in accordance with his or her respective certification act, or a physician assistant that immunization is not appropriate for a stated medical reason.
Personal Belief Exemption: a written statement that the parent or guardian does not wish to have such child so immunized and the reasons therefor.
Nebraska School Immunization Law – NE Code § 79-217
Medical Exemption: A statement signed by a physician, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse practicing under and in accordance with his or her respective certification act, stating that, in the health care provider’s opinion, the immunizations required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student or any member of the student’s family or household.
Religious Belief Exemption: An affidavit signed by the student or, if he or she is a minor, by a legally authorized representative of the student, stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized religious denomination of which the student is an adherent or member or that immunization conflicts with the personal and sincerely followed religious beliefs of the student.
Nebraska College Immunization Law – NE Code § 85-902
Nevada School Immunization Law – NV Rev Stat § 392.435
Medical Exemption: If the medical condition of a child will not permit the child to be immunized to the extent required by NRS 392.435 and a written statement of this fact is signed by a licensed physician and by the parents or guardian of the child, the board of trustees of the school district or governing body of the charter school in which the child has been accepted for enrollment shall exempt the child from all or part of the provisions of NRS 392.435, as the case may be, for enrollment purposes.
Religious Exemption: A public school shall not refuse to enroll a child as a pupil because the child has not been immunized pursuant to NRS 392.435 if the parents or guardian of the child has submitted to the board of trustees of the school district or the governing body of a charter school in which the child has been accepted for enrollment a written statement indicating that their religious belief prohibits immunization of such child or ward.
Nevada Private School Immunization Law – NV Rev Stat § 394.192
Medical Exemption: If the medical condition of a child will not permit the child to be immunized to the extent required by NRS 394.192, a written statement of this fact signed by a licensed physician and presented to the governing body by the parents or guardian of such child shall exempt such child from all or part of the provisions of NRS 394.192, as the case may be, for enrollment purposes.
Religious Belief Exemption: A private school shall not refuse to enroll a child as a pupil because such child has not been immunized pursuant to NRS 394.192 if the parents or guardian of such child have submitted to the governing body a written statement indicating that their religious belief prohibits immunization of such child or ward.
New Hampshire Immunization Law – NH Rev Stat § 141-C:20-a
Medical Exemption: A child shall be exempt from immunization if a physician licensed under RSA 329, or a physician exempted under RSA 329:21, III, certifies that immunization against a particular disease may be detrimental to the child’s health. The exemption shall exist only for the length of time, in the opinion of the physician, such immunization would be detrimental to the child. An exemption from immunization for one disease shall not affect other required immunizations.
Religious Belief Exemption: A child shall be exempt from immunization ifa parent or legal guardian objects to immunization because of religious beliefs. The parent or legal guardian shall sign a notarized form stating that the child has not been immunized because of religious beliefs.
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