Vaccine Requirements for Public School Children Across Four States

As the 2025-2026 school year begins, public school students in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas must meet specific vaccination requirements to attend classes, with exemptions available under certain conditions. 

Below is a detailed look at each state’s mandates, starting with Missouri, followed by Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, based on verified information from state health departments and official sources.

Missouri: Strict Vaccination Rules with Limited Exemptions

In Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services mandates a comprehensive vaccination schedule for public school students to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases. These requirements apply to all students in grades K-12, with additional vaccines for specific grades.

Required Vaccinations:

• Polio: 4 doses, with the final dose on or after the fourth birthday.
• DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis): 5 doses, with the last dose on or after the fourth birthday.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 doses.
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses.
• Varicella (Chickenpox): 2 doses or proof of disease verified by a healthcare provider.
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): 1 dose for 8th graders.
• Meningococcal (MCV): 1 dose for 8th graders (administered after age 10) and 2 doses for 12th graders, unless the first dose was given after age 16, in which case only one dose is required.

Exemptions: Missouri permits medical and religious exemptions with proper documentation. Medical exemptions require a physician’s statement, while religious exemptions need a written statement from a parent or guardian. Philosophical exemptions are not allowed.

Compliance: Schools enforce these requirements, and students must provide up-to-date immunization records or exemption forms to enroll. The Missouri Department of Health emphasizes the importance of maintaining vaccination records to prevent outbreaks of diseases like measles and pertussis.

Kansas: Comprehensive Vaccine Mandates with Focus on Early Childhood

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) enforces vaccination requirements for students in K-12 and early childhood programs licensed by the state. These rules aim to safeguard public health while allowing limited exemptions.

Required Vaccinations (K-12):

• DTaP: 5 doses, or 4 if the fourth dose was given after age 4.
• Tdap: 1 dose for 7th graders.
• Polio: 4 doses, with one dose after age 4.
• MMR: 2 doses.
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses through grade 12.
• Varicella: 2 doses for grades K-3 and 7-8, 1 dose for grades 4-6 and 9-12, or physician-confirmed history of chickenpox.
• Hepatitis A: 2 doses.
• MenACWY (Meningococcal): 1 dose for 7th graders (ages 11-12), a second dose for 11th graders (ages 16-18), or 1 dose if no prior record.

Early Childhood Programs (under age 5):

• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b): 3 doses.
• PCV (Pneumococcal): 4 doses.

Recommended but Not Required: The CDC recommends HPV (for ages 11+), rotavirus (for children under 8 months), and annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccines (for ages 6 months+), but these are not mandated by Kansas.

Exemptions: Kansas allows medical and religious exemptions. Medical exemptions require an annual physician’s statement, and religious exemptions need a parent or guardian’s written statement citing religious beliefs. Philosophical exemptions are not permitted.

Additional Notes: Schools encourage parents to update vaccination records in the Kansas Statewide Immunization Registry (KSWebIZ). The KDHE emphasizes collaboration between schools, healthcare providers, and parents to maintain high vaccination rates.

Oklahoma: Flexible Requirements with Broader Exemption Options

Oklahoma’s State Department of Health requires vaccinations for school enrollment to protect students from serious diseases. Additional vaccines may be recommended or required depending on grade level and school policies.

Required Vaccinations:

• DTaP/Tdap: 5 doses of DTaP, with a Tdap booster required for 7th grade and above.
• Polio: 4 doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine.
• MMR: 2 doses.
• Hepatitis A: 2 doses.
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses.
• Varicella: 2 doses or documented proof of disease.

Additional Vaccines (Varies by Grade/School):

• Hib: May be required for younger students.
• PCV: May be required for younger students.
• Meningococcal (MCV4 and MenB): Recommended for older students.
• Influenza and HPV: Recommended but not required.

Exemptions: Oklahoma allows exemptions for medical, religious, or personal reasons. Parents can download exemption forms from school district websites, such as Deer Creek School District, and submit them to the school.

Compliance: Schools work with parents and healthcare providers to ensure compliance. The state encourages consulting school nurses for specific requirements, as some districts may have additional recommendations.

Arkansas: Robust Immunization Rules with Philosophical Exemptions

Arkansas requires public and private school students to be vaccinated against a range of diseases, with specific requirements for certain grades. The Arkansas Department of Health oversees compliance and outbreak management.

Required Vaccinations:

• MMR: 2 doses.
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses.
• Hepatitis A: At least 1 dose on or after the first birthday.
• Varicella: 2 doses or documented proof of disease from a medical provider.
• DTaP: 4 doses, with one dose on or after the 4th birthday.
• Tdap: 1 dose for students age 11 and older.
• Meningococcal: 1 dose for 7th graders, with a second dose at age 16.
• Poliomyelitis: 4 doses.
• Pneumococcal (PCV): Required for younger students in early education programs.

Exemptions: Arkansas allows exemptions for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. Students with exemptions may be excluded from school during disease outbreaks, per Arkansas Children’s Hospital guidelines. Exemption requests must be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health.

Public Health Measures: The state emphasizes the importance of vaccinations to prevent outbreaks, particularly for diseases like measles and meningococcal disease. Parents are urged to maintain accurate immunization records.

Verification and Sources: The information above is based on current data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Oklahoma State Department of Health, and Arkansas Department of Health, cross-checked with school district guidelines and reputable sources like the CDC and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Vaccination schedules and exemption policies were confirmed to be accurate as of July 17, 2025.