A Word on Texas School Immunizations

Описание: ORIGINALLY POSTED IN AUGUST 2021, UPDATED FOR JANUARY 2026

School Immunization Requirements Texas. Texas school immunization requirements are straightforward in principle: your child must be fully vaccinated against a defined list of serious diseases to enroll and stay enrolled in public or private school, from pre K through 12th grade. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) updates these requirements periodically, and for the 2025–2026 school year, the core vaccine list and most dose patterns are unchanged, with Hepatitis A now clearly required through 12th grade.

This guide is written for intent—not just keywords—so you can quickly answer: “Is my child ready for school?” and “What do I do if we’re behind?”


Which Vaccines Does My Child Need to Attend School in Texas?
What are the core required vaccines for K–12?
For Texas public and private schools, students must show acceptable evidence of vaccination against:

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP/DT/Td/Tdap)

Polio (IPV)

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis A

Varicella (chickenpox)

Meningococcal (MCV4), beginning in the teen years



The exact number of doses and timing depend on your child’s age and grade level, but the state “minimum requirements” chart is the gold standard schools follow.

How many doses are usually required by elementary school?
Typical minimums by the time a child enters kindergarten include:

DTaP: usually 5 doses (or 4 if the 4th was at age 4 or older).

Polio (IPV): usually 4 doses (or 3 if the 3rd was at age 4 or older).

MMR: 2 doses, first on or after the first birthday.

Varicella: 2 doses, with documentation of disease history accepted as an alternative in many cases.

Hepatitis B: 3 dose series completed.

Hepatitis A: 2 doses, starting at age 1.



For middle and high school, booster doses of Tdap and a meningococcal vaccine dose are required.​


What Changed or Matters Most for the 2025–2026 School Year?
Are there new vaccines added for 2025–2026?
There is no new disease added to the required list for K–12, but the state continues to clarify and standardize requirements across grades.

One key point parents sometimes miss:

The two dose Hepatitis A requirement now clearly applies to Kindergarten through 12th grade as part of the minimum state requirements.



In practice, most pediatric practices have already been giving Hepatitis A on schedule, but if your child missed early well visits, this is a common gap to check.

How do COVID 19 vaccines fit into Texas school requirements?
As of the current 2025–2026 guidance, Texas does not list COVID 19 vaccination as a mandatory requirement for general K–12 school entry statewide, although COVID 19 vaccines remain part of the recommended schedule for children and adolescents.

Individual health systems or colleges may have separate policies, so always confirm if your older teen is transitioning to higher education or certain programs.


What If My Child Is Missing Doses or Starting Late?
Can my child still start school if not fully vaccinated?
Yes, in some cases—under provisional enrollment.

A student may be enrolled provisionally if:

They have received at least one dose of each required vaccine in every series that is due, and

They are not overdue for subsequent doses according to the official schedule.



Schools must review the student’s status every 30 days and can exclude the child if follow up doses are not received on time.

What if we’re far behind or just moved to Texas?
Steps that show responsibility and protect your child:

Bring all immunization records (including from other states or countries) to your pediatrician or local health department.

Ask for a catch up schedule based on the Texas minimums and CDC guidance.​

Start whatever series you can now to qualify for provisional enrollment while completing the rest.


Are There Medical or Other Exemptions in Texas?
When is a medical exemption allowed?
Texas law allows physicians to write a medical exemption when a vaccine is medically contraindicated or would be harmful to the child or a household member.

Key points:

Exemption must be written and signed by a licensed physician (MD or DO).

It must specify which vaccine(s) are contraindicated and whether the condition is temporary or lifelong.

Unless the physician states the condition is lifelong, the exemption is valid for only one year from the date signed.



What about non-medical exemptions?
Texas also allows exemptions for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, using an official affidavit requested from the state.

Parents choosing this path must:

Obtain the official form from DSHS.

Complete it exactly as instructed.

Submit it to the school on time, understanding that unimmunized children may be excluded during outbreaks.

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