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Immunization Requirements

Materials for school and child care assessments have been updated for the 2023 assessment cycle.

On March 9, 2023, the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules voted to suspend some of the recently added changes to Wisconsin’s administrative code (Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 144) that pertained to school and child care immunization requirements. The changes were originally published in late January, and were effective as of February 1, 2023.

Requirements for polio, hepatitis B, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTaP/DTP/DT/TD (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) that were in effect before January 2023 have not changed.

The changes impacted by the suspension included:

Report of chickenpox (varicella) disease

Suspended rule: A physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice nurse prescriber must document a reliable history of chickenpox by indicating on the department's student immunization record form that the student has had chickenpox.

Current rule: Parental report of chickenpox is acceptable.

Substantial outbreak definition

Suspended rule: Updating the definitions of “substantial outbreak" to add chickenpox and meningococcal disease to the definitions.

Current rule: The diseases still included in the substantial outbreak definition are measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, diphtheria, and haemophilus influenzae type b.

MenACWY containing vaccine requirement

Suspended rule: Adding MenACWY containing vaccine to the requirements for students entering seventh grade, and a booster dose for eligible students entering 12th grade.

Current rule: MenACWY containing vaccine is not required for school entry.

The changes not impacted by the suspension and remain in effect included:

  • Changing the grade the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine) is required from the start of sixth grade to the start of seventh grade; this change is to better align with the recommended age (age 11) at which children should receive the vaccine.
  • Requiring schools to provide reports of vaccine compliance to the Department of Health Services (DHS) in addition to the previously existing requirement to report to local health departments.
  • Removing outdated provisions relating to the 2008–2009 phase-in of Tdap and chickenpox vaccines.
A child reads a book with his feet up on a bookcase

Before vaccines, many children died from diseases that are now rare in the United States. Vaccines are our best protection against serious, sometimes deadly, diseases. To protect our children, Wisconsin law requires all students to do one of the following:

  • Show proof they got required vaccines.
  • Provide a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

All schools, childcare centers, and other public health agencies must follow vaccine laws. We work together with these groups to protect the health of our children.

School law requirements

Find resources and requirements for the 2023-2024 school year below or watch our Wisconsin Student Immunization Law presentation.

DHS offers details on immunization laws:

School administrators may use these tools from DHS to track vaccine requirements:

You can collect parental or guardian consent to vaccinate their child at school using the Authorization to Receive Tdap, MCV4, HPV, and/or Influenza Vaccines, F-00048.

Search for your school’s Local Education Agency (LEA) code and school code. You can search by district, public school, or private school:

Vaccines Recommended at Ages 11–12: What Parents Should Know, P-90022

Child care requirements

Child care assessment booklet and resources

Each January, DHS sends a letter to child care directors (PDF) outlining vaccine requirements and steps to prepare for the Child Care Assessment.

The Wisconsin Child Care Immunization Assessment, P-44329 (PDF) booklet has all the details child care centers need to complete the annual assessment. The latest version of the Child Care Assessment booklet is published in the spring. The assessment is due at the end of spring each year. The specific deadline and website information to submit the assessment is included in the Child Care Assessment booklet.

According to state law, child care centers should require all parents to keep their immunization records up to date. Use this form to meet the requirement: Child Care Immunization Record, F-44192.

Results of the child care assessment

Here are the latest results, made available after the close of each school year: Child Care Immunization Assessment Results, Wisconsin, P-01445 (PDF).

Educational materials for parents

This document helps parents understand vaccines needed for their child to attend a child care center: Child Care Immunization Assessment, P-02047 (PDF).

Give parents the Child Care Immunization Record, F-44192 so they can keep their immunization records up to date. Parents can access their child’s immunization record from the child’s doctor or through the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR).

The Wisconsin Immunization Program, Immunization Action Coalition, and Vaccinate Your Family have resources to answer parent and guardian questions about vaccines.

Contact us

Last revised August 25, 2023