Quick Facts and Resources for New Hampshire Residents
Quick Fact: If a parent objects to immunization because of religious beliefs, the parent or legal guardian shall sign a notarized form stating that the child has not been immunized because of religious beliefs. Medical exemptions are also allowed.
Other Resources: Many vaccination and exemption information links provided below are date specific. If the links below have expired, click on the state's department of health, or immunization program link provided in Other State Resources below, as they are likely to provide links to updated information. 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.
- Vaccination Requirements – New Hampshire law does not require vaccines to enter college. However, each college may establish their own rules about what immunizations are needed to enter. I is always recommend to check your college's registration packet for details on what's required for your school.
- Exemption Information - Check your college's registration packet for details on what immunization exemptions are allowed.
- State Healthcare Worker and Patient Vaccination Laws
- State of New Hampshire Legislature - see applicable statutes and their hyperlinks below.
- Visit NVIC’s Advocacy Portal for information on legislation introduced impacting vaccine exemption rights.
- State of New Hampshire Department of Health
- State of New Hampshire Immunization Program
- State of New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Proposed Rule-Making - View your state’s registry to learn about proposed rule-making.
TITLE X. PUBLIC HEALTH
CHAPTER 141-C. COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
RSA § 141-C:20-a. Immunization
I. All parents or legal guardians shall have their children who are residing in this state immunized against certain diseases. These diseases shall include, but not be limited to, diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, rubeola, and tetanus. The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to other diseases which require immunization.
II. No child shall be admitted or enrolled in any school or child care agency, public or private, unless the following is demonstrated:
(a) Immunization under paragraph I;
(b) Partial immunization relative to the age of the child as specified in rules adopted by the commissioner; or
(c) Exemption under RSA 141-C:20-c.
A child shall be exempt from immunization if:
I. A physician licensed under RSA 329, or a physician exempted under RSA 329:21, III, certifies that immunization against a particular disease may be detrimental to the child's health. The exemption shall exist only for the length of time, in the opinion of the physician, such immunization would be detrimental to the child. An exemption from immunization for one disease shall not affect other required immunizations.
II. A parent or legal guardian objects to immunization because of religious beliefs. The parent or legal guardian shall sign a notarized form stating that the child has not been immunized because of religious beliefs.
Below are state statutes relating to minor consent for this state; however, there may be additional statutes NVIC is unaware of, and readers may need to do additional research and/or obtain additional legal advice. NVIC doesn't provide legal advice and provides the below for informational purposes only. NVIC provides additional resource information in our FAQ on Vaccination in School-Based Health Clinics, should readers have concerns about the vaccination of their child without parental knowledge or consent this school setting.
N.H. Rev. Stat. 21:44 Age of Majority; Adults.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the words "adult", "majority", "age of majority", "full age or lawful age", and all other terms of referring to those persons who are to be considered adults, shall mean those persons who have attained the age of 18 years.
N.H. Rev. Stat. 141-C:18 Sexually Transmitted Disease.
- The commissioner may request the examination, and order isolation, quarantine, and treatment of any person reasonably suspected of having been exposed to or of exposing another person or persons to a sexually transmitted disease. Any order of treatment issued under this paragraph shall be in accordance with RSA 141-C:11, RSA 141-C:12, and RSA 141-C:15.
II. Any minor 14 years of age or older may voluntarily submit himself to medical diagnosis and treatment for a sexually transmitted disease and a licensed physician may diagnose, treat or prescribe for the treatment of a sexually transmitted disease in a minor 14 years of age or older, without the knowledge or consent of the parent or legal guardian of such minor.