Free Vaccines + State Required Vaccines Reference
Many schools and colleges require that students receive meningitis and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccinations before coming to class. Find out if your state is one of them!
It’s important to know your rights about vaccines. Though required by law, you can request exemptions. And, not all vaccines are required!
To find out more about FREE and low-cost vaccinations, visit Vaccines for Children (VFC) on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. You can also get in touch with your local VFC coordinator in that link to find a doctor or clinic that offers free vaccines in your area. Or, call the CDC at (800) 232-2522 or (800) 232-4636. Some clinics charge an administration fee of no more than $19 to offset costs, but the vaccines themselves are free of charge.
To learn more about vaccination laws by state, visit the National Vaccine Information Center. Be sure to visit the Vaccine Law page, which provides and overview of exemptions, the difference between required vs. recommended vaccines, and tips on filing a religious exemption letter in your state. Our Vaccine Law page also notes exemption statute language of interest for residents of California and New Mexico with regard to religious and personal/philosophical belief exemptions.