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Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025

Are religious exemptions the only way children can avoid getting vaccinated in Minnesota?

Deanna Pistono, MinnPost
no

Minnesota law allows for children to be exempt from vaccination based either on medical reasons or the beliefs of their parents and/or guardians — which are not limited to religious beliefs. A notarized statement must be submitted for all exemptions, with non-medical exemption statements sent to the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health.

In Minnesota, multiple vaccinations are required for children to enter childcare or attend school depending on their age, unless an exemption is present. Some childcare centers, per Minnesota law, are allowed to not enroll children over 2 months old who do not have required vaccinations for their age. 

One vaccination that children may receive or be exempt from is for pertussis, or whooping cough. In 2024, Minnesota’s recorded pertussis cases increased from 61 confirmed and probable cases in 2023 to 3,217. Most of these cases were found in children aged 5-17.

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