MMR Vaccine Exemption Law Change 2019

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that removes the personal and philosophical option to exempt children from the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine required for school and child care entry.

The law took effect July 28, 2019. It applies to public and private schools and child care facilities. The law removes the option for a personal-philosophical exemption to the MMR vaccine requirement for schools and child care facilities. It also requires employees and volunteers at child care centers to provide immunization records indicating they have received the MMR vaccine or proof of immunity.

The Department of Health and its partners are working on interpreting the law, are creating new forms, and will continue the work of helping parents and the public understand the safety record of vaccines and the critical role they have in saving lives.

This article contains quick information and resources on this change to school and child care immunization requirements. Find more detailed information in the department’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

Law Change Quick Facts

• The new law was effective July 28, 2019. It applies to public and private schools and licensed child care facilities.
• The law also requires employees and volunteers at child care centers to provide immunization records indicating they have received the MMR vaccine or proof of immunity.  
• This law does not change religious and medical exemption laws. Children who have one of these types of exemptions on file are not affected by the new law.
• This law does not change personal and philosophical exemptions for vaccines other than MMR.
• This law will not affect most students. More than nine out of 10 kindergartners in Washington are complete with both doses of MMR vaccine, and 96 percent of sixth-graders have both doses. These students, along with those who have medical or religious exemptions, will notice no change from the new exemption law.
• Learn more about Engrossed House Bill 1638 here, or read the full text of the new law. If you have questions not answered on this page, email OICP@doh.wa.gov.
• More Information

• Frequently Asked Questions
• School and child care immunization information page
• Washington state school immunization laws and rules
• Washington state child care immunization laws and rules
• Slides from Healthcare Provider Webinar on the Exemption Law Change (PDF) Watch the webinar recording by registering here.
• * Adapted from the Washington State Department of Health Immunization webpage