Home / Official Guidance / State Policies / Vaccine-Specific Requirements and Exemptions / Varicella Vaccine Requirements for Childcare and School (K–12)

Varicella Vaccine Requirements for Childcare and School (K–12)

Requirements are current as of May 2024

Download U.S. map of varicella vaccine requirements for childcare and school

Varicella Vaccine Requirements for Childcare and School (K–12) as of May 2024

View PDF

An empty box in this table indicates a “NO” answer

Jurisdiction	CHILDCARE				SCHOOL
	Required?	Number of doses required	Year first implemented	Comment	Required?	Grade(s) included	Number of doses required	Year first implemented	Historical note	Comment
Alabama	yes	1	2000		yes	K–12	1–2	2001		2 doses required if dose 1 given at age 13 or older
Alaska	yes	1	2001		yes	K–6	2	2009
Arizona	yes	1	2005		yes	K–12	1–2	2005		2 doses required if dose 1 given at age 13 or older
Arkansas	yes	1	2000		yes	K–7	2	2000
California	yes	1	2001		yes	K–12	2	2001
Colorado	yes	age-appropriate	2000		yes	K–12	2	2000	2000: K–6 2006: Gr 7–12
Connecticut	yes	1	2000		yes	K–12	2	2000
Delaware	yes	1	2002		yes	K–12	2	2003	2003: K–6 2009: Gr 7–12
District of Columbia	yes	1	1997		yes	K–12	2	1997
Florida	yes	1	2001		yes	K–12	2	2001
Georgia	yes	1	2000		yes	K–12	2	2000
Hawaii	yes	1	2002		yes	K–12	2	2002
Idaho	yes	1	2011		yes	K–12	2	2002
Illinois	yes	1	2002		yes	K–12	2	2002
Indiana	yes	1	2003		yes	K–12	2	2004
Iowa	yes	1	2004		yes	K–12	2	2004	2004: K–6 2009: Gr 7–12
Kansas	yes	1–2	2009	Dose 2 required at age 4 years or older	yes	K–12	2	2004	2004: K–6 2010: Gr 7–12
Kentucky	yes	1	2001		yes	K–12	2	2001	2001: K–6 2009: Gr 7–12
Louisiana	yes	1	2003		yes	K–12	2	2003
Maine	yes	1	2002	Dose required by age 16 months	yes	K–12	2	2003
Maryland	yes	1	2000		yes	K–12	1–2	2001		K–10: 2 doses required Gr 11–12: 1 dose required
Massachusetts	yes	1	1999		yes	K–12	2	1999
Michigan	yes	1	2000		yes	K–12	2	2002
Minnesota	yes	1	2004		yes	K–12	2	2004
Mississippi	yes	1	2002		yes	K–6	2	2002
Missouri	yes	1	2001		yes	K–12	2	2002	2005: K–6 2011: Gr 7–12
Montana	yes	1	2015		yes	K–12	2	2015
Nebraska	yes	1	2004		yes	K–12	2	2004
Nevada	yes	1–2	2007	Dose 2 required at age 4 years or older	yes	K–6	2	2003
New Hampshire	yes	1	2003		yes	K–6	2	2003
New Jersey	yes	1	2004	Dose required at age 19 months or older	yes	K–12	1	2004
New Mexico	yes	1–2	2000	Dose 2 required at age 4 years or older	yes	K–12	2	2002	2002: K–6 2008: Gr 7–12
New York	yes	age-appropriate	1999		yes	K–12	2	2003	2003: K–6 2005: Gr 7–12
North Carolina	yes	1	2002		yes	K–12	2	2006	2006: K–6 2012: Gr 7–12
North Dakota	yes	1	2004		yes	K–12	2	2004	2004: K–6 2010: Gr 7–12
Ohio	yes	age-appropriate	2015		yes	K–12	2	2006
Oklahoma	yes	1	1998		yes	K–12	1	1998	1998: K–6 2004: Gr 7–12
Oregon	yes	1	2000		yes	K–12	1	2000
Pennsylvania	yes	1	1997		yes	K, Gr 7, Gr 12	2	2002		2 doses or evidence of immunity
Rhode Island	yes	1	1999		yes	K–12	2	1999
South Carolina	yes	1	2000		yes	K–12	2	2001	2001: K–6 2007: Gr 7–12
South Dakota	yes	1	2016		yes	K–12	2	2000
Tennessee	yes	1	1999		yes	K–12	2	2002	2002: K–6 2010: Gr 7–12
Texas	yes	1	2000		yes	K–12	2	2000
Utah	yes	1	2008		yes	K–12	2	2002	2002: K–6 2007: Gr 7–12
Vermont	yes	1	2011		yes	K–12	2	2008
Virginia	yes	age-appropriate	1999		yes	K–12	2	1999
Washington	yes	age-appropriate	2006	children in preschool/ transitional K who are age 4 years on September 1 of the school year need 2 doses	yes	K–6	2	2006	2006: K–6 2008: Gr 7–12
West Virginia	yes	1–2	2000	Dose 1: required at age 15 – 17 months Dose 2: required at age 18 months – 5 years	yes	K–6	2	2008
Wisconsin	yes	1	2001	2024: parent report of varicella disease no longer acceptable	yes	K–12	2	2001	2001: K–6 2004: Gr 7–12	2024: parent report of varicella disease no longer acceptable
Wyoming	yes	1	2010		yes	K–12	2	2010

These tables were compiled by Immunize.org using information provided by state health departments. If you have updated information concerning these tables, please call (651) 647-9009 or email admin@immunize.org.