Immunization Laws
Immunization laws protect everyone, because high immunization levels prevent disease outbreaks. Minnesota has various laws requiring immunizations for children and adults enrolled in child care, school, and college settings. Legal exemptions are allowed - both for medical reasons and conscientiously held beliefs. This page includes both the actual Minnesota laws and MDH interpretations.
On this page:
Immunization Law Basics
Statutes and Rules
Immunization Law Basics
- Minnesota's Childcare,
School, and College Immunization Law
Information on Minnesota's immunization laws for children and adults enrolled in child care, school, and college settings.
- Minnesota's
School Immunization Law: Questions and Answers (PDF: 111KB/13 pages)
Answers to frequently asked questions about Minnesota's school immunization law.
- Provider's Quick Reference on Minnesota's
Immunization Laws
A quick reference guide for healthcare providers, daycare, and school personnel on Minnesota's immunization laws.
- Minnesota's School
Immunization Law Exemption Provision
A summary of how to obtain a medical or conscientious exemption to the Minnesota School Immunization Law.
- History of the Minnesota
School Immunization Law
A summary of the changes in Minnesota immunization laws by year.
- HIPAA and Immunization
MDH legal memo on immunization data sharing and HIPAA and MMWR article on HIPAA and public health.
- Immunization Documentation
for Homeless or Displaced Students
The Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act allows homeless students to enroll in school without the standard immunization and medical record documentation, such as those affected by hurricane Katrina.
Statutes and Rules
- School
and Childcare Immunization Statute: Minnesota Statutes, Section 121A.15
Minnesota Statute 2002. Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4605 (see below) amends this statute. Go to the rule for additions and changes to these requirements. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Minnesota
Rules, Chapter 4604: Immunization
2003 changes to the Minnesota school and childcare immunization law. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Post-Secondary
Students: Minnesota Statutes, Section 135A.14
Minnesota Statute 2002. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Exemptions
from Immunization
Minnesota Statutes, 121A.15, subd. 3 of health standards, immunizations, school children. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Sharing
of Immunization Data: Minnesota Statutes, Section 144.3351
Minnesota Statute 2002. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Information and Resources
MDH bulletin.
Frequently Requested
VISs
CDC fact sheets on vaccines.
Attention: Non-MDH link
CDC Immunization Home
Attention: Non-MDH link
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
