Immunization Information For Healthcare Professionals

Children are required to have certain immunizations before they enter childcare, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 7, 8, 9, and 12. They can be exempted from immunizations for either religious or medical reasons. 

• A medical exemption certificate must be signed by a healthcare professional.
• A religious exemption certificate can be signed by a parent or guardian, or by the student if they are at least age 18.

• Healthcare professionals can enroll in the program to order vaccines for both pediatric and adult patients. Enrollment must be completed online annually.
• Providers who participate in the SSV program must agree to the SSV program terms and conditions and adhere to certain requirements for ordering, storing, and reporting on vaccines.
• Before administering any vaccine, healthcare professionals must give the current Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) to patients or to their parents or guardians. This must be documented in the patient's medical record.
• Who is eligible for state-supplied vaccine?
  • All  people age 18 or younger.
  • People age 19 or older who are either a Rhode Island resident or who get health benefits through a Rhode Island employer (some ordering restrictions apply).
  • Vaccines are not allowed to be administered to ineligible patients. Failure to report vaccine administered to ineligible patients is considered fraud and abuse.