Arizona School Immunization Requirements (2026-27)

Arizona requires proof of immunization before a child attends school, with exemptions for personal beliefs and medical reasons. For kindergarten through grade 12 in 2026-27 the required vaccines are hepatitis B, polio, MMR, varicella, DTaP or Tdap, and one meningococcal dose from age 11. A child who has had at least one dose of each and has a written schedule to catch up may attend while finishing.

The law in one paragraph

A.R.S. 15-872(B): "A pupil shall not be allowed to attend school without submitting documentary proof to the school administrator unless the pupil is exempted." Subsection (E) lets a pupil attend who has received at least one dose of each required vaccine and is on a written schedule to complete the rest. Subsection (H) defers the proof requirement for pupils who are homeless under federal law until the fifth calendar day after enrollment. The list of vaccines and doses is set by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), not by the school.

Required vaccines for K-12, 2026-27

From the ADHS "Arizona Guide to Immunizations Required for Entry, Grades K-12" (as of October 2026):

Vaccine	Doses required
Hepatitis B	3
Polio	4 (3 if the third dose was on or after age 4 and at least 6 months after dose 2)
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)	2
Varicella (chickenpox)	1 (2 if the first dose was given at 13 or older)
DTaP / Tdap / Td	Kindergarten and first-grade entry: 5 doses of DTaP (4 if dose 4 was after age 4). Ages 7-10: 4 doses of a tetanus-diphtheria vaccine. Age 11 and up: 3 or more doses, one of which is Tdap
Meningococcal (MenACWY or MenABCWY)	1 dose at age 11 or older (a dose given at age 10 counts)

Hepatitis A is not required for K-12. (It is required for child care in Maricopa County for children aged 1 to 5, which matters only for preschool.)

The age-11 doses

Families from other states often know these as "7th-grade shots". In Arizona they are tied to age, not grade. The ADHS school toolkit puts it plainly: "If a student 12 years or older is missing the 11-year-old shots, he or she must receive them before attending school." So a sixth-grader who has turned 11 needs the Tdap and the meningococcal dose, and a seventh-grader who is still 10 does not yet.

Which records count

The record must show the month, day and year of each dose. The Arizona Immunization Handbook accepts, among others:

a record from the child's doctor or clinic;
a printout from ASIIS, Arizona's state registry, or from another state's registry;
a MyIR printout (ADHS's family portal, which can "print out official immunization certificates to turn in to your child's school");
the signed ASIR-109R form from the prior school;
records from outside the United States.

If a child has not received any dose of a required vaccine, the handbook says the first dose "MUST be received prior to entry/attendance." One dose of each, plus a catch-up schedule, is enough to start.

Getting a copy fast

From the old doctor. Usually the quickest. Ask for the full record, not just the latest visit.
From the old state's registry. Most states run one; the old school nurse or doctor can print from it.
From Arizona's registry. If your child has had any shots in Arizona, create a MyIR account to print the certificate, or call ASIIS at 602-364-3899. ADHS's online Immunization Record Request needs the guardian's photo ID and is "normally processed within 5-7 business days," as of October 2026.
New shots. Your county health department runs immunization clinics, and many pharmacies give the Tdap and meningococcal vaccines to adolescents. Ask the clinic to enter the doses into ASIIS so that future printouts are complete.

Exemptions

A.R.S. 15-873 allows two exemptions for K-12, each on the current ADHS form only. Older or home-made forms are not valid, and exemptions must be redone when a child transfers schools.

Personal beliefs. The parent signs a statement that they "have received information about immunizations provided by the department of health services" and understand the risks and benefits, and that "due to personal beliefs, the parent or guardian does not consent to the immunization." Form: Personal Beliefs Exemption Form, Kindergarten - 12th Grade Only.
Medical. Written certification signed by the parent and a physician or nurse practitioner, covering a contraindication or laboratory evidence of immunity. Form: Medical Exemption Form.
Religious. This form exists only for child care and preschool; K-12 students use the personal beliefs form.

One consequence to know: "Pupils who lack documentary proof of immunization shall not attend school during outbreak periods." A school can send an exempted child home during an outbreak of the disease in question.

If you are between permanent homes

A child covered by the McKinney-Vento Act must be enrolled immediately, and the proof-of-immunization requirement does not apply until the fifth calendar day after enrollment (A.R.S. 15-872(H)). The district's McKinney-Vento liaison "shall assist in obtaining" immunization and health records, and ADHS guidance says these students should not be excluded for being out of compliance. See Between homes.

Sources and where to verify

Frequently asked questions

Can my child start school while we wait for the immunization record?

Not until the school has some documentary proof, unless your family is covered by McKinney-Vento. The fastest fix is a printout from the old doctor or the old state's registry. A child with one dose of each vaccine and a catch-up schedule may attend.

Does Arizona accept immunization records from another state or country?

Yes, as long as each dose shows the month, day and year. Another state's registry printout and records from outside the United States are both listed as acceptable in the ADHS handbook.

My child is in 7th grade but has not turned 11. Does she need the Tdap and meningococcal shots?

Not yet. Arizona ties these doses to turning 11, not to a grade. Once she is 11 she needs both before continuing to attend.

Does Arizona require a second meningococcal dose at 16 or in 11th grade?

The 2026-27 ADHS K-12 guide we checked lists one dose at age 11 or older and no later school requirement. Your doctor may recommend a booster at 16; check the ADHS guide linked above for what the school itself requires.

How do I claim a personal beliefs exemption?

Sign the current ADHS Personal Beliefs Exemption Form for K-12 and give it to the school. The form includes the statement that you have received the ADHS information about immunizations. A new form is needed each time your child changes schools.

Is there a religious exemption for school?

Not for kindergarten through grade 12. ADHS publishes a religious exemption form for child care and preschool only; older students use the personal beliefs exemption.

What happens to an exempted child during an outbreak?

Under A.R.S. 15-873, pupils without documentary proof of immunization may not attend during an outbreak period for that disease.

Where can I get the missing shots quickly?

Your county health department's immunization clinic, your new pediatrician, or a pharmacy for the adolescent doses. Ask whoever gives the shot to record it in ASIIS so the school can verify it.

Last reviewed October 11, 2026. Figures change; the sources above are where to check.