We understand that when it comes to keeping your children and family healthy, there is a lot of information available. Learn which immunizations your child or family members need, where to get your family immunized, and how to obtain a copy of your child’s immunization records.
Why immunize?
It's easy to think of diseases like tetanus, whooping cough, and measles as diseases that only existed in the past. But the truth is, they still exist. Some children in the United States can, and do, still get these diseases. You may have never seen a case of tetanus, whooping cough, or measles, but they still circulate in other countries and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases do occur in Idaho and in the United States.
Before a vaccine is approved, it is thoroughly tested. Scientists and medical professionals carefully review all the available information about the vaccine to determine its safety and ability to provide protection from serious illness. Although some people may experience side effects from vaccination, these are generally minor compared to the serious complications that can result from the diseases these vaccines prevent. Serious side effects from vaccines are rare.
Getting your child vaccinated helps protect others in your community—like your neighbor who has cancer and cannot get certain vaccines, or your friend's newborn baby who is too young to be fully vaccinated. When everyone in a community who can get vaccinated does get vaccinated, it helps to prevent the spread of disease and can slow or stop outbreaks if and when they occur.
Where to get immunized
Immunizations are available at a number of locations across Idaho, such as your healthcare provider’s office, your local public health district, at select pharmacies, or at other locations.
Routine childhood vaccines are available to Idaho children under the age of 19 years, at no cost or at a significantly reduced cost. The vaccine itself is free through medical providers who participate in the state’s vaccine program, though the provider may charge a fee to administer the vaccine. All local public health districts participate in the state’s vaccine program, as do most pediatricians and family practice physicians.
An Immunization Provider Locator Dashboard is now available. This dashboard displays a map and list of providers offering immunizations across the state. The dashboard indicates the types of immunizations available and whether they provide immunizations to people with or without insurance. Note: only providers who choose to share their information are included on the dashboard. The dashboard will be updated as new providers are added.
Requirements to attend school and daycare in Idaho
To help protect your child and others from vaccine-preventable diseases, parents are required to provide an immunization record for their child, or provide an exemption, before they may attend licensed daycare facilities or public, private, and parochial schools in Idaho. Children who do not have all required immunizations but plan to get caught up may be conditionally enrolled. See Idaho Statute 39-1118 for Immunization Documentation Requirements for Licensed Daycare Facility Attendees and Idaho Statute 39-4801 for Immunization Documentation Requirements for students attending preschool or Kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Parent’s Guide to the School Immunization Requirements
Parent’s Guide to the Childcare Immunization Requirements
Children who are in the process of receiving required immunizations are permitted to attend preschool, grades K-12, or licensed daycare facilities in Idaho. Parents should sign a Conditional Admission form, or one similar, to indicate they are in the process of having their child receive required immunizations.
Idaho Conditional Admission to School (Schedule of Intended Immunizations Form)
Idaho Conditional Attendance to Childcare (Schedule of Intended Immunizations Form)
The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) strongly supports immunization as our best defense against certain serious diseases. DHW also recognizes that parents have the right to make the decision whether to vaccinate their children. If you have any questions about the benefits and risks of immunization, contact your healthcare provider or local public health district.
Idaho law allows a parent or guardian to claim an immunization exemption for their child for medical, religious or other reasons. A medical exemption must be completed by a licensed physician. Exemptions for religious or other reasons may be documented on the form provided by DHW's Immunization Program. Parents or guardians also may claim an immunization exemption by providing a signed written statement.
Idaho School Immunization Requirements Exemption
Idaho Childcare Immunization Requirements Exemption
How to get my child's immunization record
A copy of your child's immunization record may be obtained from his/her primary care provider’s office, clinics that have administered immunizations to your child, or any healthcare provider or facility with which he/she has an established medical relationship.
Idahoans can also view, download, and share their and their minor child’s immunization records from Idaho's Immunization Reminder Information System (IRIS) using a free health record mobile and web app called Docket®.
For other questions regarding your child’s immunization records, please contact iip@dhw.idaho.gov.