Wisconsin Student Immunization Law

Wisconsin Student Immunization Law

The Wisconsin Student Immunization Law (State Statute 252.04) requires the following vaccinations (shots) for students enrolled in Wisconsin schools.

New rules go into effect 2024-2025 school year.  This includes MenACWY containing meningococcal vaccine for 7th and 12th grade and healthcare provider verification of chickenpox/varicella disease for new enrollees.

Three key times that students require updates to their vaccinations are at Kindergarten entry, 7th grade, and 12th grade.  A complete list of vaccines on file at school may be seen by signing in to the parent portal of Infinite Campus and viewing the dates listed under the Health tab. Contact the school nurse serving your school building for assistance. 

Age/Grade                     Number of Doses

PreK (2 yrs-4 yrs)                      4 or 5 DTP/DTaP/DT        3 Polio     3 Hep B       1 MMR        1 Varicella*

Grade K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  & 6             4 or 5 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td    4 Polio     3 Hep B       2 MMR        2 Varicella*

Grade 7                                          4 or 5 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td     1 Tdap     4 Polio        3 Hep B     2 MMR        2 Varicella*     1 MenACWY-containing vaccine*  (meningococcal)   

Grade 8, 9, 10, & 11                      4 or 5 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td     1 Tdap     4 Polio        3 Hep B     2 MMR        2 Varicella*

Grade 12                                        4 or 5 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td     1 Tdap     4 Polio        3 Hep B     2 MMR        2 Varicella*     2 MenACWY-containing vaccine*  (meningococcal) 

*Varicella vaccine/chickenpox shot is not required if your child has had the chickenpox disease. Parent report of chickenpox disease is no longer acceptable for exemption from the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine requirement. Children must have a diagnosis of chickenpox from a qualified health care provider (M.D., D.O., N.P., or P.A.) to be exempt from this requirement, however existing exemption options still apply.

*Tdap vaccine (adolescent tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis)

*MenACWY-containing vaccine. One dose of Meningococcal vaccine (serogroup A, C, W, Y) is required for students entering 7th grade and a booster dose is required for students entering 12th grade. A second dose is not required for students who received their first dose of MenACWY at age 16 years or older.

Immunization waivers may be completed for health reasons (signed by physician) or for religious or personal reasons (signed by parent/legal guardian) and must list the specific immunizations waived.  Immunization information is due to the school nurse no later than the 30th school day or October 14, 2024 for 2024-2025 school year. Exclusion is mandatory for non-compliant public school students in grades K (5 year old) to 6 (through 5) beginning on the 31th school day for up to 10 days.  Exclusion for others is optional. For 2024-2025 school year, PCSD is required to exclude students K through grade 12 who have not provided a record of immunizations or are behind in one or more immunizations required in Wisconsin.  Exclusion notices will be sent with the 25 day immunization legal notices.

To be compliant, the parent (or guardian) must provide to the school one of the following:

1. The date of vaccination (mm/dd/yy); or
2. An indication that the child has a history of chickenpox; or
3. A waiver for health, religious or personal conviction reasons.

Please work with your school's nurse to become compliant to avoid your child's exclusion from school.

How a parent/guardian/student may access his/her immunization records:

Several options exist for accessing a student's immunization record.

1. Wisconsin Immunization Registry or WIR  click here for instructions.  Access is Internet based.
2. Infinite Campus Portal.  Access is Internet based and shall be set up by contacting the District Registrar, Teresa Paulson, at 608/742-8545, extension 1015. Once in the Portal, click on the left column tab "HEALTH" to view the record on file with the District.  If you have any updates, please provide the name of the vaccine and date in MM/DD/YY format to the school nurse. The Student Record of Immunization form shall be used, filling in the updated information you want to provide school. Be sure to sign and date the form.
3. Clinic electronic medical records-contact your personal clinic for instructions.

Resource document:

Wisconsin Immunization Registry Information for Parents English

Wisconsin Immunization Registry: Informacion para los Padres Espanol

Local Health Department Immunization Services

The local health departments will be able to provide individuals with state supplied vaccines if one of the following applies to the person being vaccinated:

• are 18 years of age and younger that
  • have no insurance oor
  • are on Medical Assistance or
  • are Native American or
  • are Alaska Natives

In summary, as of October 1, 2012, local health departments in Wisconsin can no longer use state supplied  vaccine for children or adults with health insurance that includes coverage for immunizations. 
This is a big change for the local health departments.  If you do not qualify for vaccines from the local health department, see your health care provider or an alternative service.

Columbia County Health and Human Services, 608-742-9227.

Marquette County Health Department, 608-297-3135.

The following are places to get your child's immunizations (shots) to be in compliance with the Student Immunization Law.

• Family primary care provider
• Local health department
• Select pharmacies

If you choose not to have your child immunized, a waiver must be completed listing the specific immunizations being waived.  The waiver may be completed for health reasons and is signed by both the physician and parent/legal guardian.  The waiver may be completed for religious or personal conviction reasons and signed by the parent/legal guardian.  Completed waivers should be returned to the school nurse. 

If you choose a waiver, it is possible that your child would be excluded in case of a suspect or confirmed disease outbreak.  This is to protect the health of your child and those around your child.

The waiver form is attached in both English and Spanish.

Childhood Immunization Schedule