2026–2027 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements
For Childcare, Pre-K, and K–12 Students
Texas students must show acceptable evidence of vaccination before entry, attendance, or transfer to a public or private school, childcare facility, or pre-k facility in Texas.
These requirements are based on the Texas Department of State Health Services immunization requirements incorporated in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Health Services, §§97.61–97.72.
Childcare and Pre-K Vaccine Requirements
Children attending childcare or pre-k facilities must show acceptable evidence of vaccination before entry, attendance, or transfer to a childcare facility in Texas.
| Age | DTaP | Polio | Hep B | Hib | PCV | MMR | Varicella | Hep A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 months | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| By 3 months | 1 dose | 1 dose | 1 dose | 1 dose | 1 dose | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| By 5 months | 2 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| By 7 months | 3 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | 3 doses | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| By 16 months | 3 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | 3 doses | 4 doses | 1 dose | 1 dose | Not required |
| By 19 months | 4 doses | 3 doses | 3 doses | 3 doses | 4 doses | 1 dose | 1 dose | Not required |
| By 25 months | 4 doses | 3 doses | 3 doses | 3 doses | 4 doses | 1 dose | 1 dose | 1 dose |
| By 43 months | 4 doses | 3 doses | 3 doses | 3 doses | 4 doses | 1 dose | 1 dose | 2 doses |
Childcare and Pre-K Notes
- Serologic evidence of infection or confirmation of immunity may be accepted for MMR, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, or varicella.
- Children 60 months of age and older are not required to receive Hib or PCV vaccines.
- For MMR, varicella, and hepatitis A, the first dose must be given on or after the first birthday. Doses given within four days before the first birthday satisfy this requirement.
- Previous varicella illness may be documented with a written statement from a physician, school nurse, parent, or guardian.
Files
K–12 Vaccine Requirements
| Vaccine | Grades K–6 | Grade 7 | Grades 8–12 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTaP / DTP / DT / Tdap / Td | 5 doses or 4 doses | 3-dose primary series and 1 booster dose of Tdap/Td within the last 5 years | 3-dose primary series and 1 booster dose of Tdap/Td within the last 10 years | For K–6, one dose must be received on or after the 4th birthday. Four doses meet the requirement if the fourth dose was received on or after the 4th birthday. |
| Polio | 4 doses or 3 doses | 4 doses or 3 doses | 4 doses or 3 doses | One dose must be received on or after the 4th birthday. Three doses meet the requirement if the third dose was received on or after the 4th birthday. Not required for persons 18 years or older. |
| MMR Measles, Mumps, Rubella |
2 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | First dose must be received on or after the 1st birthday. |
| Hepatitis B | 3 doses | 3 doses | 3 doses | For students ages 11–15, two doses meet the requirement only if the adult hepatitis B vaccine Recombivax® was received and clearly documented. |
| Varicella | 2 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | First dose must be received on or after the 1st birthday. Previous illness may be documented with a written statement. |
| Meningococcal MCV4 | Not required | 1 dose | 1 dose | Required for grades 7–12. The dose must be received on or after the student’s 11th birthday. |
| Hepatitis A | 2 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | First dose must be received on or after the 1st birthday. |
Important K–12 Notes
- A dose received up to four days before the birthday will satisfy the school entry immunization requirement.
- Serologic evidence of infection or serologic confirmation of immunity may be accepted for MMR, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, or varicella.
- For varicella, previous illness may be documented by a written statement from a physician, school nurse, parent, or guardian.
Exemptions
Texas law allows physicians to write medical exemption statements that clearly state a medical reason exists that the student cannot receive specific vaccines. Parents or guardians may also choose an exemption from immunization requirements for reasons of conscience, including religious belief.
The law does not allow parents or guardians to choose an exemption simply because of inconvenience, such as a lost or incomplete record.
Provisional Enrollment
Students must have all required immunizations completed by the first date of attendance. A student may be enrolled provisionally only if the student has received at least one dose of each required age-appropriate vaccine and is not overdue for the next dose in the series.
The school nurse or school administrator must review the immunization status of provisionally enrolled students every 30 days. Students who do not receive required follow-up doses may be excluded from attendance until the required dose is administered.
Acceptable Documentation
Immunization records are acceptable if validated by a physician or public health personnel through a signature, initials, or stamp. Electronic health records must include clinic contact information, provider signature or stamp, vaccine name, and vaccination date.
