The following requirements must be met for a child to attend school:

1. The student has been immunized in accordance with the rules;
2. The student has an exemption affidavit from immunization requirements on file with the school in accordance with the rules; or
3. The student is entitled to 30-day provisional enrollment. 

Yes. A child may be provisionally enrolled for 30-days while awaiting vaccine exemption. Rule §97.66 and Rule §97.69 of the Texas Administrative Code contain the requirements for provisional enrollment.

What is required for school enrollment if I want my child exempted from some vaccines but not all of them?

You will need two different immunization documents:

1. One of the following: 
2. An official notarized DSHS Blank Immunization Exemption Affidavit from School or Child-Care Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience form, Stock No. 11-11755. This document shows the vaccines the parent or guardian chose not to allow their child to receive for reasons of conscience.
3. A medical exemption from a doctor (MD or DO) stating that getting a vaccine required by the school can harm their child or someone in their family or household.
4. A valid immunization record indicating the month, date, and year of each vaccine for which your child is not exempt and was administered. It should include the appropriate validation by a physician or public health clinic.  

You will need two different immunization documents:

1. One of the following:

A. An official notarized DSHS Blank Immunization Exemption Affidavit from School or Child-Care Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience form, Stock No. 11-11755. This document shows the vaccines the parent or guardian chose not to allow their child to receive for reasons of conscience.

B. A medical exemption from a doctor (MD or DO) stating that getting a vaccine required by the school can harm their child or someone in their family or household.

2. A valid immunization record indicating the month, date, and year of each vaccine for which your child is not exempt and was administered. It should include the appropriate validation by a physician or public health clinic.

Yes. A child can get an exemption from one or more vaccinations for medical reasons. If a parent or guardian believes that getting a vaccine required by the school can harm their child or someone in their family or household, they can ask a doctor (MD or DO) to put it in writing. The doctor must be registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States. Unless there is a lifelong condition involved, you must renew the document every year. 

A child-care facility, school, or institution of higher education, including those offering health-related or veterinary courses, may exclude a child or student not immunized for reasons of conscience, religion, or medical exemption from attending school if there is an official emergency or an outbreak designated by the school or public health department.  

Yes.

No. Only state of Texas immunization exemption affidavits are valid for people who decline vaccines for reasons of conscience, including religious belief.

Yes.  Beginning 09/01/2025 DSHS no longer prints on special security paper. DSHS prints the new forms on standard white copy paper. You may download a blank immunization exemption affidavit form from the DSHS website. A child-care facility, school, or institutions of higher education, including those offering health-related and veterinary courses, should accept a valid immunization exemption affidavit form Stock No. 11-11755. Blank immunization exemption affidavits printed on both types of paper are valid for two years from the date notarized. 

Each vaccine exemption affidavit is good for two years from the date notarized.

The vaccine exemption affidavit is part of the child's school records. It should be sent to the new school with other school records.

The information on the form will include:

1. The child's name and date of birth (completed by the parent, guardian, or self);

2. A list of required vaccines, with an option for exemption;

3. A statement from the requesting parent or guardian stating their relationship to the child; and

4. An acknowledgment that the parent or guardian read the information sheet titled, The Benefits and Risks of Vaccinations. Parents or guardians will need to sign the form in the presence of a notary public.

All information included in the request for the affidavit that was submitted to DSHS will be returned to you along with the immunization exemption affidavit forms. No information will be maintained. This includes the blank immunization exemption affidavit forms. DSHS only tracks the number of affidavit requests and the number of times the form is downloaded from the website.

DSHS returns submitted requests to parents or guardians.

Photocopies of the vaccine exemption affidavit form are not valid. If parents or schools lose the exemption affidavit, the parent or guardian needs to request another vaccine exemption affidavit in writing. The process is the same as the original form.