Wisconsin School Immunization Requirements:

4K school entrance requirements

5K school entrance requirements

7th grade additional vaccine requirements

12th grade additional vaccine requirements

Student Immunization Law Age/Requirements

Immunization Requirements for 2025-2026:

Wisconsin updated its immunization requirements for child care and school entry beginning in 2024. These changes are now fully in effect for the 2025–2026 school year. The updates help keep students, educators, and staff safer and healthier while aligning Wisconsin requirements more closely with current national vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Key Updates

• Addition of the meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine requirement for students entering 7th grade, with a booster dose required for eligible students entering 12th grade.

• Parent-reported history of chickenpox disease is no longer accepted in place of the varicella vaccine requirement. A diagnosis from a qualified health care provider is now required.

• Updated definitions of “substantial outbreak” to better align with CDC guidance and include meningococcal disease and chickenpox.

These changes support healthier school communities and help reduce missed school days by protecting students from vaccine-preventable illnesses. When children are healthy and able to remain in school, they have more opportunities to learn and thrive.

What Has Not Changed?

• The existing list of required vaccinations remains in place.

• Exemption options for medical, religious, or personal conviction reasons continue to be available under Wisconsin law.

• Seasonal influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccines are not required for school attendance, although they continue to be strongly recommended by leading health organizations, including DHS, CDC, AAP, ACOG, and AAFP.

Changes Previously Implemented in 2023

• The required grade level for the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccine changed from 6th grade to 7th grade to better align with the recommended vaccination age of 11 years old.

• Schools are now required to report vaccine compliance and disease outbreaks to DHS in addition to local health departments.