Madison Clarke
In the state of Georgia, there is no single answer to the question of whether or not you have to be vaccinated. This is because the requirements for vaccination vary depending on the vaccine in question and the age group. For example, certain immunizations and screenings are required for school-aged children to enroll in school. On the other hand, during the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacies became a key distributor of COVID-19 vaccines, and many Georgians are used to getting their annual flu shots there. However, for the latest COVID-19 vaccine shots, a doctor's prescription is required, at least until an influential federal committee makes firm recommendations on who should receive the vaccine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination requirements for school | Certain immunizations are required for children to enroll in school. |
| Religious exemption | Parents can file for a religious exemption, but they must sign a form acknowledging that vaccines are necessary and safe. |
| Medical exemption | A medical exemption must be marked on the Immunization Certificate. A letter from a physician is not accepted. |
| COVID-19 vaccine prescription requirements | Pharmacies may require a prescription for the COVID-19 vaccine until a federal committee makes recommendations on who should receive it. |
| Measles vaccination rate | The vaccination rate for school-aged children in Georgia's eight-county Coastal Health District was at least 96% in 2024. |
| Measles outbreak | Georgia experienced a measles outbreak in early 2025, with at least 222 cases and two deaths reported. |
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What You'll Learn
Religious exemption for children
In the state of Georgia, certain immunizations and screenings are required for children to enroll in school. Children attending any childcare facility, pre-kindergarten, Head Start program, nursery, or school in Georgia are required to have certain forms on file. If a parent or guardian is claiming a religious objection, they must sign and submit a notarized Affidavit of Religious Objection to Immunization (Form 2208) to the relevant institution. It is important to note that a child with religious exemptions may be excluded from attending the school or childcare facility. Schools may grant a waiver of up to 90 days to allow parents or guardians time to submit all required documents.
While the specific requirements may vary depending on the educational institution and grade level, some common vaccines that may be mandated for children in Georgia include:
- Tuberculosis (TB) vaccination: This vaccine is often required for students in specific programs, such as Allied Health, School of Medicine, or School of Nursing. Health Sciences students typically cannot decline this vaccination.
- Meningococcal conjugate or Meningococcal ACWY vaccine: Residential students aged 16 and above are generally required to receive this vaccine.
- Tdap vaccine: All students are mandated to have one dose of this vaccine administered after the age of 11.
- Td or Tdap booster: Students must have this booster within ten years of their start date at certain educational institutions.
It is worth noting that the state of Georgia is currently facing some uncertainty regarding COVID-19 vaccine distribution and accessibility. As of 2025, individuals seeking the latest COVID-19 vaccine may need a doctor's prescription, at least until the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides firm recommendations. This situation may impact the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for both adults and children in Georgia.
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Doctor's prescription for COVID-19 vaccine
In Georgia, COVID-19 vaccines are available at pharmacies and drugstores like CVS, but they require a doctor's prescription. This is due to the uncertainty around how the federal government is regulating the newest COVID-19 shots, which have been updated for the 2025-26 season. Pharmacies will require a prescription until a federal committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), makes firm recommendations on who should get the vaccine. This meeting was expected to take place in September, but it is unclear if it will be delayed due to allegations of political interference in the vaccine process at the CDC.
Until then, Georgians who want to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine will need to consult with their doctors to obtain a prescription. Doctors can prescribe the vaccine off-label to healthy people who want extra protection, but there are some hesitations among doctors to do so as they may be liable for any issues. Additionally, insurance companies may refuse to pay for the shots under these circumstances, leaving patients with potential out-of-pocket costs.
It is important to note that the situation is fluid, and pharmacies' requirements for prescriptions may change as federal guidelines evolve. For example, in Colorado, the state's top health official recently issued an order allowing pharmacists to provide COVID-19 vaccines without a prescription after CVS and Walgreens announced they would limit shots in their stores to those with prescriptions.
To summarise, while COVID-19 vaccines are available in Georgia, a doctor's prescription is currently required to obtain them from pharmacies. This requirement may be waived once the ACIP provides updated guidelines, but for now, individuals should consult with their doctors to discuss their options and obtain a prescription if necessary.
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Vaccination requirements for school
In Georgia, children are required to get vaccines against certain diseases before going to school. This includes children attending any childcare facility, pre-kindergarten, Head Start program, nursery, or school. All children through 12th grade must have the Georgia Certificate of Immunization, Form 3231 on file.
Children entering a Georgia school for the first time, regardless of grade level, must have a completed Certificate of Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition screening form. This also applies to children who have been absent from a Georgia school for more than 12 months or one school year.
There are specific immunization requirements for certain grades. All students entering or transferring into 11th grade need proof of a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4), unless their first dose was received on or after their 16th birthday. Seventh graders and new entrants into grades 8-12 must receive one dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and one dose of the meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine.
Additionally, there are recommended vaccines for continued protection. Before starting school, 11-12-year-olds are advised to get the HPV, Tdap, and meningococcal conjugate vaccines. The HPV vaccine is important as it can prevent HPV infections that may cause cancer later in life. The flu vaccine is also recommended for children aged 6 months and older to protect themselves and infants under 6 months who are too young to be vaccinated.
For college students, the meningococcal conjugate vaccine is advised for freshmen living in dormitories. If unavailable, the polysaccharide vaccine can be administered. Since 2004, Georgia law has required public and nonpublic post-secondary institutions to provide students residing on campus with information about meningococcal disease and the vaccine.
Parents can consult their child's doctor, school, or local health department to understand the specific vaccination requirements for their child's age and grade level.
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Vaccination requirements for university
In Georgia, COVID-19 vaccine availability is limited, and the state's healthcare landscape is shaped by federal restrictions. While the University System of Georgia and the University of Georgia strongly encourage vaccination, they cannot ask students for proof of their vaccination status. Students should not be segregated based on their vaccination status, and vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals should be treated equally unless dictated by law or applicable guidance. However, students participating in off-campus experiential learning opportunities, such as study abroad programs or externships, may be required by partnering organizations to be vaccinated or to follow specific mask-wearing guidelines.
Different universities in Georgia have different vaccination requirements. For example, Georgia Tech requires specific immunizations, such as the Tdap vaccine, which may not be indicated on the University System of Georgia forms. International students at Georgia Tech are required to undergo the QuantiFERON blood test to screen for Tuberculosis, while students born in the United States or Canada must complete a TB Assessment form. Additionally, Georgia Tech prefers that students complete the Hepatitis B vaccine series on a standard schedule, starting with their physician before continuing it at the university.
It is important to note that the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in Georgia may vary across different providers. CVS Health, for example, has stated that prescriptions are required for COVID-19 vaccinations in Georgia, and they are only legally permitted to provide vaccinations at specific locations, such as MinuteClinics, when supplies are available.
Overall, while there is no universal vaccination requirement for universities in Georgia, individual institutions may have their own specific immunization requirements, and students should refer to their university's guidelines to ensure they meet all necessary requirements.
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Measles outbreak
In Georgia, certain immunizations and screenings are required for school enrollment. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is highly effective, with two doses being 97% effective at preventing measles and one dose being 93% effective. However, vaccination rates have been declining. During the 2023-2024 school year, MMR vaccine coverage among US kindergartners dropped to 92.7%. This drop in vaccination rates has contributed to a rise in measles cases.
In 2024, there were six reported cases of measles in Georgia. In 2025, Georgia experienced a measles outbreak, with 17 new infections reported, bringing the total to six confirmed cases for the year. This outbreak was the second outbreak of the year in the state. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that the sixth case was an unvaccinated individual who was a family member of a previous confirmed case in May. The individual was quarantined at home, and no additional exposures outside the home occurred.
To prevent measles outbreaks, maintaining high vaccination coverage is crucial. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and the CDC recommends that children receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. Georgia's sixth measles case in 2025 highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of this highly contagious disease.
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