Quick Facts and Resources for Utah Residents
Quick Fact: To receive a personal exemption form, the legally responsible individual who claims the exemption for the student must complete the online immunization education module. To access the online immunization education module, click here. If the legally responsible individual who claims the exemption for the student declines to take the online education module, he/she can obtain a vaccination exemption form from a local health department and receive an in-person consultation. Medical exemptions are also available.
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.
- State Healthcare Worker and Patient Vaccination Laws
- State of Utah Legislature – see applicable statutes and their hyperlinks below. Visit NVIC’s Advocacy Portal for information on legislation introduced impacting vaccine exemption rights.
- State of Utah Department of Health
- State of Utah Immunization Program
- State of Utah Vaccine Tracking System – You may also wish to contact your state’s vaccine tracking registry to determine if the ability to opt out is available.
- State of Utah Proposed Rule-Making – View your state’s registry to learn about proposed rule-making.
§ 53G-9-302. Immunization required -- Exception -- Weighted pupil unit funding.
(1) A student may not attend a school unless:
(a) the school receives an immunization record from the legally responsible individual of the student, the student's former school, or a statewide registry that shows:
(i) that the student has received each vaccination required by the department under Section 53G-9-305; or
(ii) for any required vaccination that the student has not received, that the student:
(A) has immunity against the disease for which the vaccination is required, because the student previously contracted the disease as documented by a health care provider, as that term is defined in Section 78B-3-103; or
(B) is exempt from receiving the vaccination under Section 53G-9-303;
(b) the student qualifies for conditional enrollment under Section 53G-9-308; or
(c) the student:
(i) is a student, as defined in Section 53E-3-903; and
(ii) complies with the immunization requirements for military children under Section 53E-3-905.
(2) An LEA may not receive weighted pupil unit money for a student who is not permitted to attend school under Subsection (1).
§ 53G-9-303. Grounds for exemption from required vaccines -- Renewal.
(1) A student is exempt from the requirement to receive a vaccine required under Section 53G-9-305 if the student qualifies for a medical or personal exemption from the vaccination under Subsection (2) or (3).
(2) A student qualifies for a medical exemption from a vaccination required under Section 53G-9-305 if the student's legally responsible individual provides to the student's school:
(a) a completed vaccination exemption form; and
(b) a written notice signed by a licensed health care provider stating that, due to the physical condition of the student, administration of the vaccine would endanger the student's life or health.
(3) A student qualifies for a personal exemption from a vaccination required under Section 53G-9-305 if the student's legally responsible individual provides to the student's school a completed vaccination exemption form, stating that the student is exempt from the vaccination because of a personal or religious belief.
(4)
(a) A vaccination exemption form submitted under this section is valid for as long as the student remains at the school to which the form first is presented.
(b) If the student changes schools before the student is old enough to enroll in kindergarten, the vaccination exemption form accepted as valid at the student's previous school is valid until the earlier of the day on which:
(i) the student enrolls in kindergarten; or
(ii) the student turns six years old.
(c) If the student changes schools after the student is old enough to enroll in kindergarten but before the student is eligible to enroll in grade 7, the vaccination exemption form accepted as valid at the student's previous school is valid until the earlier of the day on which:
(i) the student enrolls in grade 7; or
(ii) the student turns 12 years old.
(d) If the student changes schools after the student is old enough to enroll in grade 7, the vaccination exemption form accepted as valid at the student's previous school is valid until the student completes grade 12.
(e) Notwithstanding Subsections (4)(b) and (c), a vaccination exemption form obtained through completion of the online education module created in Section 26-7-9 is valid for at least two years.
Note: To receive a vaccination exemption form, The legally responsible individual who claims the exemption for the student must complete the online immunization education module. To access the online immunization education module, click here. If the legally responsible individual who claims the exemption for the student declines to take the online education module, he/she can obtain a vaccination exemption form from a local health department and receive an in-person consultation.
§ 53G-9-304. Vaccination exemption form.
(1) The department shall:
(a) develop a vaccination exemption form that includes only the following information:
(i) identifying information regarding:
(A) the student to whom an exemption applies; and
(B) the legally responsible individual who claims the exemption for the student and signs the vaccination exemption form;
(ii) an indication regarding the vaccines to which the exemption relates;
(iii) a statement that the claimed exemption is for:
(A) a medical reason; or
(B) a personal or religious belief; and
(iv) an explanation of the requirements, in the event of an outbreak of a disease for which a required vaccine exists, for a student who:
(A) has not received the required vaccine; and
(B) is not otherwise immune from the disease; and
(b) provide the vaccination exemption form created in this Subsection
(1) to local health departments.
(2)
(a) Each local health department shall designate one or more individuals from within the local health department as a health official to consult, regarding the requirements of this part, with:
(i) parents, upon the request of parents;
(ii) school principals and administrators; and
(iii) licensed health care providers.
(b) A local health department may designate a licensed health care provider as a health official designee to provide the services described in Subsection (2)(a).
(3)
(a) To receive a vaccination exemption form described in Subsection (1), a legally responsible individual shall complete the online education module described in Section 26-7-9, permitting an individual to:
(i) complete any requirements online; and
(ii) download and print the vaccine exemption form immediately upon completion of the requirements.
(b) A legally responsible individual may decline to take the online education module and obtain a vaccination exemption form from a local health department if the individual:
(i) requests and receives an in-person consultation at a local health department from a health official or a health official designee regarding the requirements of this part; and
(ii) pays any fees established under Subsection (4)(b).
(4)
(a) Neither the department nor any other person may charge a fee for the exemption form offered through the online education module in Subsection (3)(a).
(b) A local health department may establish a fee of up to $25 to cover the costs of providing an in-person consultation.