Request a Non-Medical Immunization Exemption

Vaccine Exemption (Waiver) Information

Since 1978, Michigan state law has required children to be up to date with required vaccines ON or BEFORE the first day of school or a licensed childcare program.

A child who is not up to date with required vaccines will not be allowed to attend school or childcare without a vaccine exemption (also called a waiver). There are two types:

• Non-medical exemption: Requires the parent or guardian to complete vaccine preventable disease education, and having the exemption certified (signed) by the local health department.
• Medical exemption: Must be signed by a physician (MD or DO) on the official state medical exemption form.
  • Regular doctor’s notes or signatures from other types of healthcare providers are not accepted. The physician writes the medical reason and how long the exemption lasts based on the medical reason.
  •  The health department cannot provide medical exemptions.
  • Important: Children with medical exemptions may still be briefly excluded from school or childcare if there’s an outbreak of that disease.

Important: Vaccine requirements for school and childcare are set by Michigan state law, not by the local health department. The health department’s role is to provide the education and signing required by law for non-medical exemptions.

Non-Medical Exemptions

Michigan state law requires a new non-medical exemption at the following times:

• Before starting childcare or preschool
• Before starting kindergarten
• Before starting 7th grade
• If the child has completed some, but not all, of the required vaccine series since the last exemption was signed
• When changing to a school outside the district for which the exemption was first signed

Note: If your child is currently getting some vaccines but needs to wait for the next dose (dose waiting period), you do not need an exemption – bring your vaccine record showing the dates of vaccines already given.

To obtain a Non-Medical Exemption

Step 1: Compare your child’s immunization record to the required immunization schedule linked above to know what immunizations you wish to exempt. Immunization records can be obtained online at the Michigan Immunization Portal, your child’s healthcare provider, or our local agency office.

Step 2: Complete the MIWAIV online education. You only need to complete the module(s) for the immunization(s) you want exempted (waived).

Step 3: Make an appointment at our office to complete the required form.

Step 4: Parent or Guardian who completed the education must attend the appointment.

At the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, we provide non-medical immunization waiver education appointments only for Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph county residents.

If your family lives outside of Branch, Hillsdale, or St. Joseph county, please contact your local public health department to discuss your options for a waiver appointment. Every county in Michigan offers the same service for their residents.

To find your local health department, visit: Local Public Health Directory