Licensed childcare facilities and summer camps in West Virginia require health documentation before your child can attend. West Virginia's immunization requirements apply to childcare settings under W. Va. Code §16-3-4, and WV DHHR-licensed facilities must verify compliance. West Virginia is one of the strictest states for immunization requirements — only medical exemptions are recognized. Here's what you need, where to get it, and what to prepare before the first day.
Last verified: September 2, 2026
West Virginia childcare centers licensed by the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Bureau for Children and Families are required to maintain current immunization documentation for every enrolled child. The applicable immunization standard is set under W. Va. Code §16-3-4.
Conditional enrollment in daycare: Licensed WV facilities may accept a child on a provisional basis while a documented catch-up schedule is in progress, but specific timelines vary by facility. Confirm with your childcare provider before the first day.
Sources: DHHR — Immunization; DHHR — Child Care Licensing, accessed Sep 2, 2026
West Virginia is one of a small number of states that recognizes only medical exemptions from immunization requirements — religious and philosophical exemptions are not available under West Virginia law. This applies to childcare enrollment just as it does to school entry.
This makes complete, up-to-date immunization records especially important for families in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling, and communities across the state. If you are relocating to West Virginia and your child's records are incomplete, begin the process of obtaining and completing the required immunizations as early as possible.
Ask your pediatrician or doctor about your child's specific immunization status — this page does not provide medical advice.
Source: W. Va. Code §16-3-4; DHHR — Immunization, accessed Sep 2, 2026
West Virginia resident camps licensed by DHHR typically require health documentation before camper check-in. Requirements vary by camp type and license category:
Most licensed resident camps require an up-to-date immunization record — the same WV Certificate of Immunization used for school and childcare. Request this from your child's pediatrician or a DHHR county health department before the camp session begins.
Most overnight camps require a physical exam within the past 12 to 24 months and a completed health history form before the child can participate. The camp provides its own form; bring the completed pediatrician exam to combine with it. Ask your pediatrician what documentation the camp requires.
If your child takes any medication — including over-the-counter medications — a signed physician and parent authorization form is typically required at licensed camps. Prepare this at your pre-camp well-child visit.
Day camps operated by schools, parks, or recreation departments may have less formal requirements than licensed resident camps. Confirm documentation requirements directly with your camp before registration closes.
WVIIStar (West Virginia Immunization Information System) is the state registry where West Virginia providers record all administered vaccines. To access your child's WVIIStar record:
Source: DHHR — WVIIStar Immunization Registry, accessed Sep 2, 2026
West Virginia's strict medical-only exemption policy, Hib-under-5 requirements, WVIIStar registry visits, and childcare paperwork for families across Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, or Wheeling. Family Stork keeps your child's entire vaccination history organized in one place.
Give any clinic your child's private @families.familystork.com address. They send vaccine records and visit summaries — the health timeline builds itself. When the daycare or camp form packet arrives, you open one app and hand over a complete record. $99/year, or about $10 a month.
Tired of managing health records for yourself and everyone you love? Family Stork organizes them for you automatically.
Start your child's record — freeWest Virginia recognizes only medical exemptions from immunization requirements under W. Va. Code §16-3-4. Religious and philosophical exemptions are not available. The official exemption process is administered by the WV DHHR Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services.
More resources:
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