Michigan school vaccine waivers

Nonmedical waivers (religious or philosophical). Since a 2014 state rule, a parent can’t simply sign a form at school. You schedule a waiver education session with your county’s local health department, where a public health nurse covers vaccine-preventable diseases, the vaccines being waived, and what happens during an outbreak (unvaccinated children can be kept home). The session usually takes about 30 minutes. The health department then certifies the waiver, typically electronically in the state immunization registry (MCIR). Some counties require an in-person appointment; check whether yours offers another option.

Medical waivers. A physician (MD or DO) completes the medical waiver, stating the vaccine involved, the medical reason, and how long the waiver applies.

What to ask a practice. The nonmedical waiver doesn’t involve your pediatrician at all, so the question is simply whether the practice keeps patients who use one. Ask whether they see children who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, whether they accept a delayed or selective schedule, and whether they’ll write a medical waiver when a child has a documented contraindication.

Where rules change. Waivers are needed at childcare entry, kindergarten, and seventh grade, and when a student enters a new school district. Michigan updated its waiver form in January 2026. Confirm the current process with your county health department before your child’s enrollment deadline.