Vaccine Mandates in the United States
Florida’s top leaders have pledged to cancel all of its vaccine mandates, including those that require children to get shots against diseases such as polio and measles to attend public schools. Currently, refusal to comply with the mandates can lead to restricted entry to public schools or denied services.
All 50 states and Washington, D.C., currently require certain vaccines for students to attend school.*
Many states align their vaccine requirements with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.*
U.S. vs. the World
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Globally, vaccine mandates vary widely in scope and enforcement. Over 100 countries have some form of national vaccine mandate.**
As of 2024, 13 European countries had at least one mandatory pediatric vaccination, with France, Hungary and Latvia requiring all but one vaccine. In contrast, 17 European countries had no mandatory vaccinations, relying only on recommendations.***
In the United Kingdom, vaccines offered through the national immunisation programme are not mandatory, according to government data.
Related Information
Related
U.S. Mandates
Core vaccines mandatory for kindergarten admissions in all 50 states
Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP), polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis B
Hepatitis A (HepA) vaccine mandates exist in the following states*
Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
(The mandate exists for kindergarten students in all of these states except Indiana, Ohio and Minnesota, where it is not enforced uniformly.)
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine mandates exist in the following states*
Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
(The vaccine is mandated at grade 6 or grade 7 across these states.)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine mandates exist in the following states*
Rhode Island, Hawaii and Virginia have HPV vaccine mandates. Washington D.C. has a similar mandate.
(The vaccine is mandated at grade 6 or grade 7.)
Exemptions
Vaccine exemptions are waivers that allow individuals to be excluded from mandatory vaccination requirements. Types of exemptions permitted by schools include medical, religious and philosophical beliefs.
Over the past five years, lawmakers in 15 states have sought to curb school vaccine mandates, but only Idaho’s Medical Freedom Act passed, barring vaccine requirements. Despite this, Idaho’s Health Department still lists immunizations as mandatory and has not responded to inquiries.
Medical exemption: A licensed provider certifies that vaccination poses a health risk for the individual due to conditions like allergies or immunodeficiency.
All states provide medical exemptions.
Religious exemption: When individuals claim that a vaccination conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs or practices. All states except California, Mississippi, West Virginia, Connecticut, New York and Maine offer this.
Philosophical exemption: When individuals claim personal, moral or ethical objections to vaccination. Permitted in 15 states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
* Data from Kaiser Family Foundation, Immunize.org and state health department websites.
** Data from World Population Review and UK-based nonprofit Our World in Data.
*** Data from NIH’s National Library of Medicines.
(Reporting by Mrinalika Roy, Christy Santhosh and Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
Conclusion
Vaccine mandates are an essential aspect of public health policy, and their implementation varies across the United States and the world. Understanding the different types of vaccine mandates, exemptions, and their implications is crucial for making informed decisions about vaccination. As the situation continues to evolve, it is essential to stay informed about the latest developments and updates on vaccine mandates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are vaccine mandates?
Vaccine mandates are laws or regulations that require individuals to receive certain vaccinations to attend school, work, or participate in other activities.
Q: Which states have vaccine mandates for kindergarten admissions?
All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have vaccine mandates for kindergarten admissions, which include core vaccines such as DTaP, polio, MMR, varicella, and hepatitis B.
Q: What are the types of vaccine exemptions?
There are three types of vaccine exemptions: medical, religious, and philosophical. Medical exemptions are granted when a licensed provider certifies that vaccination poses a health risk, while religious exemptions are granted when an individual claims that a vaccination conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs or practices. Philosophical exemptions are granted when an individual claims personal, moral, or ethical objections to vaccination.
Q: Which states offer philosophical exemptions?
15 states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, offer philosophical exemptions.
Q: How do I get a vaccine exemption?
To get a vaccine exemption, you must meet the specific requirements for the type of exemption you are seeking. For medical exemptions, you will need to provide a certification from a licensed provider. For religious exemptions, you will need to provide a statement outlining your sincerely held religious beliefs or practices. For philosophical exemptions, you will need to provide a statement outlining your personal, moral, or ethical objections to vaccination.
