Pandemics, Epidemics, and Vaccines: History, Science, & Controversies: Laws & Mandates

The Tennessee Department of Health is responsible for immunization requirements for those who attend child care, pre-school, school and college.

State vaccination laws include vaccination requirements for children in public and private schools and daycare settings; college/university students; and healthcare workers and patients in certain facilities. State laws also determine whether providing vaccinations to patients is within the scope of practice of certain healthcare professionals. The Public Health Law Program provides selected resources for public health practitioners and their legal counsel on state vaccination laws.

Healthcare facilities across the country are increasingly requiring healthcare workers to be vaccinated for certain diseases in an effort to reduce outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. In some instances, facilities are establishing these requirements due to mandates in state statutes and regulations.

Mandatory childhood immunizations have been a feature of American society since the 19th century.

A Credo Reference landing page on vaccine laws. This page includes links to reference works, and journal articles.

Mandatory vaccinations have been with us for centuries, quietly saving lives – and they're often largely unopposed until something changes.

Vaccination mandates are nothing new. But the fear and anger came roaring back with the introduction of childhood vaccination mandates in the 1970s.