School Vaccine Requirements
Vaccine-preventable diseases can spread quickly in school and child care settings. Because of this, some vaccines on the childhood immunization schedule are required for children to go to school. School vaccine requirements have existed for over 175 years. They help prevent disease spread and keep students and school staff safe. When we vaccinate our children, we allow them to learn and grow in a healthy environment.
School vaccine requirements have a long history.
All U.S. states and territories require children to get vaccinated against certain diseases to attend school. The first school immunization mandate was in 1855, when Massachusetts required smallpox immunization for school entry. In 1905, the U.S. Supreme Court said states could pass and enforce vaccination laws. These requirements have been successful in reducing disease outbreaks.
Different states have different requirements.
School vaccine requirements vary by state. To look up your state’s requirements, visit Immunize.org.
When your child gets vaccines, make sure to get copies of their immunization record. You can keep one copy for your child's personal health record. You will also need a copy to provide to the school or child care facility when you register your child.
Are there exemptions to vaccine requirements?
U.S. states allow parents to exempt their children from vaccines. This means their child can be unvaccinated and still attend school or daycare. However, many states require unvaccinated children to stay home if there are outbreaks of infectious diseases at their school or child care center. Vaccine exemption rules vary by state. All states allow exemptions for medical reasons. Some children cannot receive vaccines because of rare medical conditions or because they have weak immune systems. These children rely on other students to be vaccinated to help shield them from disease. Some states also allow exemptions for personal belief and/or religious reasons.
Remember: Diseases we vaccinate against are very real, and many are potentially dangerous and life-threatening. Choosing not to receive a vaccine can leave a child at risk of getting the disease and placing others at risk. Choosing to vaccinate is the best way to protect your child from diseases and their serious complications.
When they’re protected, they’re good.
Immunization Requirements and Rates at Colorado Schools and Child Cares
Which vaccines are required in Colorado?
In Colorado, students are required to get some vaccines in order to attend school or child care. Parents can find a list of these vaccines on the state health department’s website.
Can I see the vaccination rates at my child’s school or child care in Colorado?
In Colorado, schools and child care facilities report their immunization and exemption rates to CDPHE each year. The data is publicly available. This means caregivers can look up their child’s school or child care rates.
Why are vaccination rates at my child’s school or daycare center important?
Parents and caregivers consider many factors when deciding where to send their child for school or child care, including immunization rates. Higher rates mean students are better protected from disease spread. And school communities with higher exemption rates are more likely to experience a disease outbreak. An outbreak puts all children – including vaccinated children – at a higher risk for getting sick. Knowing immunization rates is especially important for caregivers whose child cannot get vaccines for medical reasons because. These children are at higher risk for catching diseases and becoming extremely sick. Therefore, they may only choose a facility where immunization rates are high enough to protect their child.
How do I know if a facility's immunization rate is high enough?
When enough people in a community are vaccinated against a disease, they protect others from disease. This is called “herd immunity” or “community immunity.” This helps reduce the risk that a disease will enter a community and spread to others. The level needed to protect a community through herd immunity is different for each disease. For very contagious diseases, like measles, roughly 95% of people in a community need to be vaccinated to protect against outbreaks.
| Disease | Average Vaccination Rate Among Colorado Kindergarteners |
| Measles | 87.0% |
| Mumps | 87.0% |
| Pertussis | 87.2% |
| Polio | 87.0% |
Source: 2022-23 SchoolVaxView
When immunization rates drop, the risk for disease outbreaks goes up. That's why it's important to make sure all children who can get vaccinated do so.