Mississippi Childcare Licensing

Mississippi Childcare Immunization Requirements (2026)

Children enrolled in a licensed Mississippi childcare center must show proof of age-appropriate immunization. Mississippi requires documentation for 7 vaccine series, with limited medical and legally permitted exemptions.

Licensing Agency

Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities) →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Mississippi Immunization Requirements: The Specifics

Mississippi childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Proof of vaccination required for every enrolled child before enrollment via the MSDH Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121), or a valid medical/religious exemption (Form 122) — Rule 1.6.3(10); staff and volunteers must also have Form 121 on file (Rule 1.6.3(10); volunteers Rule 1.5.2(6)) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Mississippi childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Required vaccines per the MSDH childhood immunization schedule (documented on Form 121): DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Mississippi childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Polio (IPV) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Mississippi childcare licensing requires age-appropriate MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Mississippi childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Hepatitis B (HepB) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Mississippi childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Varicella (chickenpox) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Mississippi childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Mississippi historically allowed only medical exemptions, but pursuant to an April 2023 federal court order now also accepts religious exemptions; medical or religious exemption documented on MSDH Form 122 (religious-exemption request process via MSDH; the Form 122 religious exemption does not apply to staff) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Mississippi Immunization Requirements Checklist

  • Proof of vaccination required for every enrolled child before enrollment via the MSDH Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121), or a valid medical/religious exemption (Form 122) — Rule 1.6.3(10); staff and volunteers must also have Form 121 on file (Rule 1.6.3(10); volunteers Rule 1.5.2(6))
  • Required vaccines per the MSDH childhood immunization schedule (documented on Form 121): DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis)
  • Polio (IPV)
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
  • Hepatitis B (HepB)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Mississippi historically allowed only medical exemptions, but pursuant to an April 2023 federal court order now also accepts religious exemptions; medical or religious exemption documented on MSDH Form 122 (religious-exemption request process via MSDH; the Form 122 religious exemption does not apply to staff)

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Mississippi Immunization Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

Which vaccines does Mississippi require for childcare enrollment?

Mississippi requires age-appropriate immunization records for: Proof of vaccination required for every enrolled child before enrollment via the MSDH Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121), or a valid medical/religious exemption (Form 122) — Rule 1.6.3(10); staff and volunteers must also have Form 121 on file (Rule 1.6.3(10); volunteers Rule 1.5.2(6)), Required vaccines per the MSDH childhood immunization schedule (documented on Form 121): DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis), Polio (IPV), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Hepatitis B (HepB), Varicella (chickenpox), Mississippi historically allowed only medical exemptions, but pursuant to an April 2023 federal court order now also accepts religious exemptions; medical or religious exemption documented on MSDH Form 122 (religious-exemption request process via MSDH; the Form 122 religious exemption does not apply to staff).

Are immunization exemptions allowed in Mississippi?

Mississippi permits documented medical exemptions and, where state law allows, certain non-medical exemptions. Confirm the current exemption rules with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities).

When must immunization records be on file in Mississippi?

Mississippi requires up-to-date immunization documentation at enrollment, with records kept current in each child's file thereafter.

Mississippi childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Mississippi administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch (Bureau of Child Care Facilities) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.