A student shall show acceptable evidence of vaccination prior to entry, attendance, or transfer to a public or private elementary or secondary school in Texas.  All immunizations should be completed by the first date of attendance. The law requires that students be fully vaccinated against the specified diseases

Texas State Law Requirement:

The law requires that students be full vaccinated by the first date of attendance. If the student qualifies for provisional enrollment a 30-day deadline will be given to receive the subsequent dose of vaccines required by law. If, at the end of the 30-day period, a provisionally enrolled student has not received the subsequent dose of vaccines required by law, the student is not in compliance and the school shall exclude the student from school attendance until the required dose is administered. Proof of vaccine should be provided to the school nurse or administrator for the student to be allowed back in school.

2023 - 2024 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K - 12 (English/Spanish) .pdf

Provisional Enrollment Dosing Schedule.pdf

Exemptions:

Texas law allows (a) physicians to write medical exemption statements which clearly state a medical reason exists and the person cannot receive specific vaccines, and (b) parents/guardians to choose an exemption from immunization requirements for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. The law does not allow parents/guardians to elect an exemption simply because of inconvenience (for example, a record is lost or incomplete and it is too much trouble to go to a physician or clinic to correct the problem). Schools should maintain an up-to-date list of students with exemptions, so they may be excluded in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of public health.

Submitting an Exemption for Reasons of Conscience

The form must be submitted to the school or child-care facility within 90 days from the date it is notarized. The affidavit will be valid for a two-year period from the date of notarization. A child or student who has not received the required immunizations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of the department.

Submitting an Exemption for Medical Reasons

For school and childcare attendance, the state allows for medical exemptions to accommodate these individuals. Schools and childcare facilities should accept medical exemptions that are signed by a US-licensed MD or DO and clearly state a medical reason the person cannot receive specific vaccines.  Unless the exemption states a lifelong condition, the exemption is only valid for one year. 

Exemption from Immunization Request Form 

Previous Illness Documentation:

Previous illness may be documented with a written statement from a physician, or the child’s parent or guardian containing wording such as: “This is to verify that (name of student) had varicella disease (chickenpox) on or about (date) and does not need varicella vaccine.” This written statement will be acceptable in place of any and all varicella vaccine doses required.