Yes. All children who are enrolled in public or private school or early learning centers must be up to date with vaccines or must submit an exemption.

• Licensed childcare, preschool, and Head Start programs
• Kindergarten, 7th grade, and any newly enrolled student to the school district

No. Exemptions must be signed in the calendar year in which a child's immunization status is reported for school and early learning purposes:

• A new exemption is required for school-aged children who are in Kindergarten, 7th grade and any newly enrolled students in the school district. 
• A new exemption is required for children enrolled in childcare/early learning, preschool or Head Start program for the first time. Another exemption may be required if the child becomes eligible (due to age) for vaccines not previously exempted.

Non-medical exemption appointments are available year-round. Avoid the back-to-school rush in the late summer and early fall - call Oakland Connects Helpline (formally Nurse on Call) at 1-800-848-5533 for an appointment early in the calendar year.

Even after you have signed a non-medical exemption, you are still encouraged to vaccinate your child to protect against vaccine preventable diseases. Parents and legal guardians can choose to vaccinate children at one of our clinics or at their medical care provider. The non-medical exemption will remain valid for any vaccines not received that are checked on the form.

Yes, please bring any vaccination records from outside of Michigan with you to the appointment. The Public Health Nurse will assist by ensuring all vaccine data is entered into MCIR.

In addition to parent/guardian photo identification, please bring any of the following physical documentation:

• Updated birth certificate
• Updated passport
• Legal/Court Order/Adoption papers

Yes, a non-medical exemption is still required for school or early learning if your child has not received all the vaccines or the number of vaccine doses required for their age or grade.

No, if your physician has indicated in the MCIR record that the child is now "immune" from chickenpox, a non-medical exemption will NOT be needed for that particular disease. Without proper documentation, a non-medical exemption for the chickenpox vaccine (Varicella) will be required.

Depends on how the non-medical exemption is issued.

The certified non-medical immunization exemption form is now electronic and entered into the MCIR system by the local health department that issued it. Personal information is protected, confidential, and can only be seen by authorized entities. Parents and legal guardians may choose to request a paper exemption instead of an electronic exemption.

Electronic Non-Medical Exemptions

• Parents and legal guardians no longer have to keep or deliver the non-medical exemption to the school or early learning center.
• The school or early learning center will have immediate access the electronic non-medical exemption via the MCIR system.

Paper Non-Medical Exemptions

• Paper non-medical waivers are NOT entered into the MCIR system.
• The parent/legal guardian MUST deliver the paper non-medical waiver form to the school or early learning center.
• If the paper non-medical waiver is lost, the parent/legal guardian is responsible for obtaining a replacement from the local health department that issued it.

No, local health departments provide non-medical exemptions only through 12th grade.

• School and Childcare Immunization Information
• Immunization and Exemption Information for Schools and Childcares
• Vaccine Recommendations vs. School and Childcare Rules: What is the difference?
  • Vaccines Required for Childcare and Preschool in Michigan (MDHHS)
  • Vaccines Required for Childcare and Preschool in Michigan (MDHHS) (Spanish version)
  • Vaccines Required for School Entry in Michigan (MDHHS)
  • Vaccines Required for School Entry in Michigan (MDHHS) (Spanish version)
• Non-Medical Exemption Frequently Asked Questions
• IVaccinate
• Voices for Vaccines
• Immunize.org: Let's Get Real About Vaccines
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Vaccine Education Center
• Shot By Shot
• Vaccinate Your Family

• Michigan School Immunization and Exemption Data
• Vaccine Preventable Disease Annual Summaries
• Michigan Measles Dashboard

• Alana’s Foundation
• Emily Stillman Foundation
• Franny Strong Foundation
• Immunization Alliance of Michigan