Iowa Keeps K-12 Vaccine Rules as Bill to Scrap All School Requirements Fails
Updated
Updated · The Gazette · Aug 23
Iowa Keeps K-12 Vaccine Rules as Bill to Scrap All School Requirements Fails
1 articles · Updated · The Gazette · Aug 23
Summary
Iowa families heading into the school year face no change in child immunization requirements after a bill to eliminate all K-12 vaccine mandates failed.
State rules still require shots for licensed childcare centers and public, parochial and charter schools, with only medical and religious exemptions allowed—not philosophical objections.
Required vaccines include polio, MMR, DTaP, hepatitis B, varicella and meningococcal for older students; influenza, RSV and hepatitis A remain recommended but not mandatory.
Religious exemptions reached 4.3% in schools and 3.3% in childcare in 2025-26, while medical exemptions were 0.2% in schools, worrying local health officials amid a years-high U.S. measles resurgence.
Linn County Public Health said most children are still vaccinated, but growing hesitancy fueled by misinformation is pushing parents to use exemptions more broadly and seek conflicting advice.