Immunization Requirements

Georgia law requires students to have up-to-date immunizations before attending school. Families must submit current immunization documentation at enrollment and at specific grade levels. Students who are not up to date on required vaccines may be withdrawn from school in accordance with Georgia law.

For more detailed guidance, explore the sections below.

Immunization Documentation Requirements

📁 The following students must provide updated immunization documentation:

First-time enrollees in a Georgia school
Students entering Kindergarten
Students entering 7th Grade
Students entering 11th Grade
Students returning after more than one school year
Students transferring from a private school

📝Families must submit one of the following required forms:

A Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231) – issued by a Georgia-licensed healthcare provider, OR
An Affidavit of Religious Objection to Immunization (Form 2208 / Formulario 2208) – Notarized and submitted to the school

Forms must remain current and on file throughout the student's enrollment.

Source: Official Code of Georgia Annotated O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771

Immunization requirements by grade level

Select a grade level to view required vaccines.

REQUIRED for Kindergarten (K)

DTP, DTaP, DT, Td

4 or 5 doses
If the 4th dose is given on or after the 4th birthday, the 5th dose is not needed.

Polio

3 or 4 doses
The 4th dose must be on or after the 4th birthday. Required for children born on or after 1/1/2006.

Hepatitis B

3 doses

Measles

2 doses

Mumps

2 doses
Or 2 doses of the MMR vaccine

Rubella

1 dose

Hepatitis A

2 doses
Requird if born on or after 1/1/2006

Varicella

2 doses

REQUIRED for Rising 7th Grade

💡In addition to vaccines required for earlier grades, all students entering 7th grade must have:

1 dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
1 dose of Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4)

These vaccines must be documented on the student's Georgia Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231).

DTP, DTaP, DT, Td

4 or 5 doses
If the 4th dose is given on or after the 4th birthday, the 5th dose is not needed.

Polio

3 or 4 doses
The 4th dose must be on or after the 4th birthday. Required for children born on or after 1/1/2006.

Hepatitis B

3 doses

Measles

2 doses

Mumps

2 doses
(Or 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.)

Rubella

1 dose

Hepatitis A

2 doses
Required if born on or after 1/1/2006

Varicella

2 doses

Tdap

1 dose

Meningococcal/ MCV4

1 dose

REQUIRED for Rising 11th-Grade

💡In addition to vaccines required for earlier grades, all students entering 11th grade must have:

1 booster dose of the Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4)
(given on or after their 16th birthday)

This booster must be documented on the student's Georgia Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231).

DTP, DTaP, DT, Td

4 or 5 doses
If the 4th dose is given on or after the 4th birthday, the 5th dose is not needed.

Polio

3 or 4 doses
The 4th dose must be on or after the 4th birthday. Required for children born on or after 1/1/2006.

Hepatitis B

3 doses

Measles

2 doses

Mumps

2 doses
(Or 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.)

Rubella

1 dose

Hepatitis A

2 doses
Required if born on or after 1/1/2006

Varicella

2 doses

Tdap

1 dose

Meningococcal/ MCV4

2 doses
Booster dose required

Additional Resources

Other Recommended Vaccines

Immunization FAQs

1. How do I get a valid Georgia Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231)?

Only Georgia-licensed healthcare professionals may issue Form 3231.

It must be completed and signed in the state of Georgia by one of the following:

A licensed physician
An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
A Physician Assistant (PA)
A qualified employee of a local Georgia Board of Health or the Georgia Department of Public Health Immunization Office

💡 Forms completed by providers outside Georgia are not valid for school attendance.

2. What information must be on Form 3231?

A valid form must include:

The child's full name and date of birth
Either a "Date of Expiration" or an "X" in the "Complete for School Attendance" box
The name, address, signature, and date of issue from the Georgira Healthcare Provider

📌 If the form has a "Date of Expiration", a new form must be submitted within 30 days of that date. Expired certificates cannot be accepted.

3. Where can my child receive required immunizations?

4. What if my child was vaccinated in another state or country?

Bring your child's immunization record to a Georgia-licensed physician or local county health department.

They can:

Review existing records
Give additional required vaccines
Issue the official Georgia Form 3231

Families new to Georgia have 30 days from enrollment to submit required documentation.

💡 Forms completed by providers outside Georgia are not valid for school attendance.

5. What types of exemptions are allowed?

Georgia recognizes only two types of exemptions from immunization requirements:

Medical Exemption

Must be marked directly on Form 3231 (letters are not accepted)
The four-digit year of exemption must appear next to each exempt vaccine
A certification of immunization indicating a medical exemption is valid for one year.

📅 A medical exemption must be renewed annually and submitted to your child’s school.

Religious Exemption

Parent or guardian must submit a notarized Affidavit of Religious Objection to Immunization (Form 2208 / Formulario 2208).
The completed affidavit must be filed with the child's school or childcare program as the official record of exemption.
This form does not expire.

6. Are Refusal-to-Vaccinate forms accepted?

Additional Resources

Parents and guardians can review:

Georgia Department of Public Health - School Vaccines & Updates

Summary of Georgia Immunization Requirements for Child Care & School Attendance

Hop to It! Childhood & Adolescent Immunization Schedules

Hop to It! Childhood & Adolescent Immunization Schedules - Español