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Georgia State Vaccine Requirements

Updated August 03, 2023


TAKE ACTION TODAY! - Multiple bills have been introduced into state legislatures that could affect vaccine exemptions. Visit www.NVICadvocacy.org to learn about what is happening in your state and what you can do to help. Thank you for standing up for freedom!
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Quick Facts and Resources for Georgia Residents

Quick Fact: For a child to be exempt from immunizations on religious grounds, the parent or guardian must furnish the school/facility with a notarized affidavit stating that immunization conflicts with his or her religious beliefs. There is no standard form for Religious Exemption, however, in 2015 the Department of Health created a form which appears to be an overreach of their authority. NVIC recommends that parents with concerns about the exemption form provided by the Department of Health seek legal advice. Medical exemptions are also allowed.

Other Resources: Many vaccination and exemption information links are date specific. If the links below have expired, click on the state's department of health, or immunization program link provided below, as they are likely to provide links to updated information. The General Information link leads to the overview page provided by the state at the time of this webpage's update and may also be helpful.  Please email NVIC with broken link information.  ​​​​​​

The information contained on NVIC's web pages is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical or legal advice. Those seeking medical or legal advice should obtain the services of a competent attorney, physician or qualified health care professional.  Although NVIC continually updates our website, state laws and rules change frequently and consumers are ultimately responsible for verifying their state's vaccination and exemption laws and requirements.

  • General Information
  • Vaccination Requirements - The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia develops and implements immunization policy for public colleges and universities. To learn more about which vaccines are required and which vaccines should be considered for students attending a Georgia public college click here.  Private colleges in Georgia develop and implement immunization policies individually for their campuses. Please contact the private college directly to inquire about their immunization requirements.
  • Exemption Information 

TITLE 20. EDUCATION
CHAPTER 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
ARTICLE 16. STUDENTS
PART 3. HEALTH

O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771. Immunization of students

 (a) As used in this Code section, the term: 

(1) "Certificate of immunization" means certification by a physician licensed under the laws of this state or by an appropriate official of a local board of health, on a form provided by the Department of Public Health, that a named person has been immunized in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Department of Public Health.

(2) "Facility" means any public or private day-care center or nursery intended for the care, supervision, or instruction of children.

(3) "Responsible official" means a county school superintendent, a school principal, or a chief operating officer of a school or facility.

(4) "School" means any public or private educational program or institution instructing children at any level or levels, kindergarten through twelfth grade, or children of ages five through 19 if grade divisions are not used. 

(b) No child shall be admitted to or attend any school or facility in this state unless the child shall first have submitted a certificate of immunization to the responsible official of the school or facility. The responsible official of any school or facility may grant a 30 calendar day waiver of the certification requirement for a justified reason. The waiver may be extended from the date of first admittance or of first attendance, whichever is earlier, for up to 90 calendar days provided documentation is on file at the school or facility from the local health department or a physician specifying that an immunization sequence has been started and that this immunization time schedule can be completed within the 90 day waiver period, provided confirmation is received during the waiver period from the health department or physician that immunizations are being received as scheduled, and provided the student under waiver is a transfer student, who is defined as a student who moves from an out-of-state school system to a Georgia school system, or a student entering kindergarten or first grade from out of state. The waiver may not be extended beyond 90 calendar days; and upon expiration of the waiver, the child shall not be admitted to or be permitted to attend the school or facility unless the child submits a certificate of immunization.

(c) The Department of Public Health shall promulgate rules and regulations specifying those diseases against which immunization is required and the standards for such immunizations. The school or facility shall maintain on file the certificates of immunization for all children attending the school or facility. All facilities shall file a report annually with the Department of Public Health. The report shall be filed on forms prepared by the Department of Public Health and shall state the number of children attending the school or facility, the number of children who did not submit certificates of immunization within the waiver period, and the number of children who are exempted from the certification requirement for medical or religious reasons.

(d) If, after examination by the local board of health or any physician licensed under the laws of this state or of any other state having comparable laws governing the licensure of physicians, any child to whom this Code section applies is found to have any physical disability which may make vaccination undesirable, a certificate to that effect issued by the local board of health or such physician licensed under the laws of this or such other state may be accepted in lieu of a certificate of immunization and shall exempt the child from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of immunization until the disability is relieved.

(e) This Code section shall not apply to a child whose parent or legal guardian objects to immunization of the child on the grounds that the immunization conflicts with the religious beliefs of the parent or guardian; however, the immunization may be required in cases when such disease is in epidemic stages. For a child to be exempt from immunization on religious grounds, the parent or guardian must first furnish the responsible official of the school or facility an affidavit in which the parent or guardian swears or affirms that the immunization required conflicts with the religious beliefs of the parent or guardian.

(f) During an epidemic or a threatened epidemic of any disease preventable by an immunization required by the Department of Public Health, children who have not been immunized may be excluded from the school or facility until (1) they are immunized against the disease, unless they present valid evidence of prior disease, or (2) the epidemic or threat no longer constitutes a significant public health danger.

(g) The requirement of a certificate of immunization shall become effective for all children entering or attending facilities on or after April 7, 1981. The certification requirement shall apply to all children entering or attending schools:

(1) On September 1, 1981, for all such children entering or attending kindergarten or the first, ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grades, or of the equivalent ages if grade divisions are not used;

(2) On September 1, 1982, for all such children entering or attending all grades, or of all ages if grade divisions are not used.

(h) Any responsible official permitting any child to remain in a school or facility in violation of this Code section, and any parent or guardian who intentionally does not comply with this Code section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.00 or by imprisonment for not more than 12 months. The Department of Public Health may adopt rules and regulations for the enforcement of this Code section. The Department of Public Health and the local board of health, or either of them, may institute a civil action in the superior court of the county in which the defendant resides for injunctive relief to prevent a threatened or continuing violation of any provision of this Code section. 

GEORGIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

DEPARTMENT 511. RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CHAPTER 511-2. DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL
SUBJECT 511-2-2. IMMUNIZATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

Rule 511-2-2-.02. Immunization Required.

(1) Except as otherwise provided, immunization against the following diseases shall be required of all children entering a school or childcare facility operating in the state:

(a) Diphtheria;
(b) Haemophilus influenzae type B (not required on or after the fifth birthday);
(c) Hepatitis A;
(d) Hepatitis B;
(e) Measles;
(f) Meningitis;
(g) Mumps;
(h) Pertussis;
(i) Pneumococcal (not required on or after the fifth birthday);
(j) Poliomyelitis;
(k) Rubella (German measles);
(l) Tetanus; and
(m) Varicella (chickenpox).

(2) A parent or guardian must submit a valid Certificate of Immunization for any child entering a school or childcare facility in the state of Georgia for the first time.

(3) School or childcare facility officials may allow a child without a valid certificate of immunization to attend for no more than 90 calendar days after the first day of attendance, provided that the parent or legal guardian either shows that that the child is in the process of completing required immunizations and that immunizations are being scheduled with the shortest intervals recommended in the current Official Immunization Schedules, or presents an affidavit of religious objection as provided in DPH Rule 511-2-2-.07.

Effective July 1, 2014, for entrance into Georgia school grades kindergarten through twelve, students must have a total of two doses of measles vaccine, two doses of mumps vaccine, one dose of rubella vaccine and a total of two doses of varicella vaccine.

(4) Children attending any childcare facility must show evidence of protection against pneumococcal disease.

(5) Children born on or after January 1, 2006 who are attending any childcare facility or school must have proof of protection against hepatitis A disease (vaccination or serology).

(6) Requirements for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines may be waived with serologic proof of immunity. Requirements for varicella vaccine may be waived also with a healthcare provider diagnosis of varicella disease or healthcare provider verification of history of varicella disease.

(7) Effective July 1, 2014, children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are attending seventh grade, and children who are new entrants into a Georgia school in grades eight through twelve, must have received one dose of Tdap vaccine.

(8) Effective July 1, 2014, children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are attending seventh grade, and children who are new entrants into a Georgia school in grades eight through twelve, must have received one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

TITLE 31. HEALTH
CHAPTER 12. CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS,
PREVENTABLE DISEASES, AND METABOLIC DISORDERS

O.C.G.A. § 31-12-3 (2007) 31-12-3. Power to require immunization and other preventive measures

(a) The department and all county boards of health are empowered to require, by appropriate rules and regulations, persons located within their respective jurisdictions to submit to vaccination against contagious or infectious disease where the particular disease may occur, whether or not the disease may be an active threat. The department may, in addition, require such other measures to prevent the conveyance of infectious matter from infected persons to other persons as may be necessary and appropriate. The department shall promulgate appropriate rules and regulations for the implementation of the provisions for the Code section in the case of a declaration of a public health emergency and shall include provisions permitting consideration of the opinion of a person's personal physician as to whether the vaccination is medically appropriate or advisable for such person. Such rules and regulations shall be adopted pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act," but shall be automatically referred by the Office of Legislative Counsel to the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on the Judiciary.

(b) In the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat thereof, this Code section shall not apply to any person who objects in writing thereto on grounds that such immunization conflicts with his religious beliefs.

O.C.G.A. § 31-12-3.2. Meningococcal disease; vaccinations; disclosures

(a)  Every public and nonpublic postsecondary educational institution shall provide to each newly admitted freshman or matriculated student residing in campus housing as defined by the postsecondary educational institution or to the student's parent or guardian if the student is a minor, the following information:

(1)  Meningococcal disease is a serious disease that can lead to death within only a few hours of onset; one in ten cases is fatal; and one in seven survivors of the disease is left with a severe disability, such as the loss of a limb, developmental disability, paralysis, deafness, or seizures;

(2)  Meningococcal disease is contagious but a largely preventable infection of the spinal cord fluid and the fluid that surrounds the brain;

(3)  Scientific evidence suggests that college students living in dormitory facilities are at a moderately increased risk of contracting meningococcal disease; and

(4)  Immunization against meningococcal disease will decrease the risk of the disease.

(b)  In accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, newly admitted students who are 18 years of age or older residing in campus housing as defined by the postsecondary educational institution or residing in sorority or fraternity houses shall be required to sign a document provided by the postsecondary educational institution stating that he or she has received vaccination against meningococcal disease not more than five years prior to such admittance or reviewed the information provided as required by subsection (a) of this Code section. If a student is a minor, only a parent or guardian may sign such document.

(c)  Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require any postsecondary educational institution to provide or pay for vaccinations of students against meningococcal disease.

(d)  Any postsecondary educational institution that has made a reasonable effort to comply with this Code section shall not be liable for damages or injuries sustained by a student by reason of such student's contracting meningococcal disease.

BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA
POLICY MANUAL OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS
POLICY MANUAL: SECTION 40: STUDENT AFFAIRS

4.8 IMMUNIZATIONS

4.8.1 IMMUNIZATION AGAINST DISEASE DURING AN OUTBREAK/EPIDEMIC

During an epidemic or a threatened epidemic of any disease preventable by immunization on a campus of the University System, and when an emergency has been declared by appropriate health authorities of this state, the president of that institution is authorized, in conjunction with the Chancellor and appropriate health authorities, to promulgate rules and regulations specifying those diseases against which immunizations may be required.

Any individual who cannot show proof of immunity or adequate immunization and refuses to be immunized shall be excluded from any institution or facility of the University System until such time as he/she presents valid evidence that he/she is immunized against the disease or the epidemic or threat no longer constitutes a significant public health danger (BR Minutes, 1989-90, p. 406).

4.8.2 IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS

(a) Each institution of the University System of Georgia shall implement immunization requirements for all new students (first-year, transfers, and others) as directed by policy consistent with recommendations provided by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, developed collaboratively by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the Division of Public Health of the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Such policies shall be on file in each institution's office of student affairs.

(b)Each institution shall make available information to every new student regarding required and recommended immunizations using information developed by the Division of Public Health in concert with the Office of Student Services of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

(c)Specific colleges or departments, with concurrence of the president and the Chancellor, may require some immunizations not required for all new students by this policy. Institutions are also authorized to impose additional immunization requirements for students when, in the opinion of the president of the institution and with concurrence of the Chancellor and appropriate public health authorities, there is a substantial risk of exposure to other communicable diseases preventable by vaccination (BR Minutes, 1990-91, p.114).

(d)Pursuant to legislation enacted in 2003, all students residing in campus housing are required to sign a document stating that they have received a vaccination against meningococcal disease or reviewed the information provided by the institution (BR Minutes, October 2003).

NOTE: According to the Georgia Immunization Program Manual, Division of
Public Health:

"Private colleges in Georgia develop and implement immunization policy for their campuses. In order to obtain a private college's immunization policy you will need to contact the individual institution. In addition, there is no standardized state immunization form for colleges: the specific institution should be contacted to obtain their version of this record."

(a) Every public and nonpublic postsecondary educational institution shall provide to each newly admitted freshman or matriculated studen residing in campus housing as defined by the postsecondary educational institution or to the student's parent or guardian if the student is a minor, the following information:

(1) Meningococcal disease is a serious disease that can lead to death within only a few hours of onset; one in ten cases is fatal; and one in seven survivors of the disease is left with a severe disability, such as the loss of a limb, mental retardation, paralysis, deafness, or seizures;

(2) Meningococcal disease is contagious but a largely preventable infection of the spinal cord fluid and the fluid that surrounds the brain;

(3) Scientific evidence suggests that college students living in dormitory facilities are at a moderately increased risk of contracting meningococcal disease; and

(4) Immunization against meningococcal disease will decrease the risk of the disease.

(b) Students who are 18 years of age or older shall be required to sign a document provided by the postsecondary educational institution stating that he or she has received a vaccination against meningococcal disease or reviewed the information provided as required by subsection (a) of this Code section. If a student is a minor, only a parent or guardian may sign such document.

(c) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require any postsecondary educational institution to provide or pay for vaccinations of students against meningococcal disease.

(d) Any postsecondary educational institution that has made a reasonable effort to comply with this Code section shall not be liable for damages or injuries sustained by a student by reason of such student's contracting meningococcal disease.


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