West Virginia Childcare Immunization Requirements (2026)

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Diphtheria (DTaP) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Tetanus (DTaP) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Pertussis / whooping cough (DTaP) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

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

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Measles (MMR) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Mumps (MMR) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Rubella (MMR) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

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

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

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) — required for child care entry per WV OEPS Child Care Immunization Guidelines immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) — required for child care entry per WV OEPS Child Care Immunization Guidelines immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Meningitis (meningococcal) — listed in the compulsory-immunization statute W. Va. Code §16-3-4; primarily a school-grade-entry requirement, applicability to child-care entry varies by the OEPS schedule immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

West Virginia childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Authority: W. Va. Code §16-3-4 (compulsory immunization for school and state-regulated child care; MEDICAL exemptions only — no religious or philosophical exemption); under the current rule §78-1-15.1.a an immunization record or completion plan signed by a licensed health care provider must be on file upon admittance, and §78-1-15.1.b recognizes only a medical (licensed-health-care-provider) exemption immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Which vaccines does West Virginia require for childcare enrollment?

West Virginia requires age-appropriate immunization records for: Diphtheria (DTaP), Tetanus (DTaP), Pertussis / whooping cough (DTaP), Polio (IPV), Measles (MMR), Mumps (MMR), Rubella (MMR), Hepatitis B, Varicella / chickenpox, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) — required for child care entry per WV OEPS Child Care Immunization Guidelines, Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) — required for child care entry per WV OEPS Child Care Immunization Guidelines, Meningitis (meningococcal) — listed in the compulsory-immunization statute W. Va. Code §16-3-4; primarily a school-grade-entry requirement, applicability to child-care entry varies by the OEPS schedule, Authority: W. Va. Code §16-3-4 (compulsory immunization for school and state-regulated child care; MEDICAL exemptions only — no religious or philosophical exemption); under the current rule §78-1-15.1.a an immunization record or completion plan signed by a licensed health care provider must be on file upon admittance, and §78-1-15.1.b recognizes only a medical (licensed-health-care-provider) exemption.

Are immunization exemptions allowed in West Virginia?

West Virginia permits documented medical exemptions and, where state law allows, certain non-medical exemptions. Confirm the current exemption rules with the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance, Division of Early Care and Education (Child Care Licensing). Effective Jan 1, 2024, the former Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was split into three departments; child care licensing now sits under DoHS. The current child care center rule (78 CSR 1, filed Mar 30, 2023, effective Apr 1, 2023) is captioned 'Department of Human Services,' but its internal definitions (e.g., §78-1-3.52 'Secretary') still reference the 'Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.'.

When must immunization records be on file in West Virginia?

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