SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS REQUIREMENTS

Massachusetts school immunization requirements are created under authority of 105 CRM 220.000 Immunization of students before entry to school.

School immunization requirements exist to protect students and members of their community from serious vaccine-preventable diseases by ensuring high vaccination rates.

Requirements apply to all students, including individuals from another country attending or visiting classes or educational programs as part of an academic visitation or exchange program. Requirements apply to all students, even if they are > 18 years of age.

The Immunization Requirements for School Entry resource outlines the required vaccines by child care/preschool, grades K-6, grades 7-12, and college. While MDPH outlines the required vaccines, local school districts are responsible for ensuring compliance with the stated requirements:

immunization requirements 2022.docx

Students entering all grades must meet current Massachusetts Department of Public Health immunization requirements. School health records are reviewed periodically to determine the immunization status of each student. If it is found that immunization updates are needed, school nurses will telephone parents/legal guardians or send notices home.

Verification of immunizations given at a doctor’s office or emergency room should be submitted to the school nurse to update the student’s health record.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

School immunization requirements exist to protect students and members of their community from serious vaccine-preventable diseases by ensuring high vaccination rates.

The Immunization Requirements for School Entry resource outlines the required vaccines by child care/preschool, grades K-6, grades 7-12, and college. While MDPH outlines the required vaccines, local school districts are responsible for ensuring compliance to the stated requirements. The requirements are updated annually and can be found at:

https://www.mass.gov/doc/immunization-requirements-for-school-entry-0/download

Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements 2022-2023^§

Massachusetts school immunization requirements are created under authority of 105 CMR 220.000 Immunization of Students Before Admission to School

Requirements apply to all students including individuals from another country attending or visiting classes or educational programs as part of an academic visitation or exchange program. Requirements apply to all students, even if over 18 years of age.

Childcare/Preschool¶†
Attendees <2 years should be immunized for their age according to the ACIP Recommended Immunization Schedule. Requirements listed in the table below apply to all attendees ≥2 years. These requirements also apply to children in preschool classes called K0 or K1.

Grades Kindergarten – 6¶†   

In ungraded classrooms, Kindergarten requirements apply to all students ≥5 years.

Address questions about enforcement with your legal counsel.

¶ Meningococcal vaccine requirements (see Grades 7-10 and 11-12) also apply to residential students in Grades Pre-K through 8 if the school combines these grades in the same school as students in Grades 9-12.

†Medical exemptions (statement from a physician stating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for a student) must be renewed annually at the start of the school year and religious exemptions (statement from a student, or parent/guardian if the student is <18 years of age, stating that a vaccine is against sincerely held religious beliefs) should be renewed annually at the start of the school year.

A reliable history of chickenpox includes a diagnosis of chickenpox, or interpretation of parent/guardian description of chickenpox, by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or

See following pages for Grades 7-10, Grades 11-12, and College (Postsecondary Institutions)

Requirements apply to all students including individuals from another
country attending or visiting classes or educational programs as part of an academic visitation or exchange program. Requirements apply to all students, even if over 18 years of age.

Grades 7 – 12†
In ungraded classrooms, Grade 7 requirements apply to all students ≥12 years.

Meningococcal Requirements

Meningococcal Vaccine Phase-In Schedule

Address questions about enforcement with your legal counsel. School requirements are enforced at the local level.

† Medical exemptions (statement from a physician stating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for a student) must be renewed annually at the start of the school year and religious exemptions (statement from a student, or parent/guardian if the student is <18 years of age, stating that a vaccine is against sincerely held religious beliefs) should be renewed annually at the start of the school year.

* A reliable history of chickenpox includes a diagnosis of chickenpox, or interpretation of parent/guardian description of chickenpox, by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or

‡ Students who are 15 years old in grade 11 are in compliance until they turn 16 years old.

Requirements apply to all students, including individuals from another country attending or visiting classes or educational programs as part of an academic visitation or exchange program. Requirements apply to all students, even if over 18 years of age.

College (Postsecondary Institutions)**†

Requirements apply to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students under 30 years of age and all full- and part-time health science students.  Meningococcal requirements apply to the group specified in the table below.

Address questions about enforcement with your legal counsel. School requirements are enforced at the local level.

** The immunization requirements apply to all students who attend any classes or activities on campus, even once.  If all instruction and activities are remote and the student will never be on campus in person, the requirements would not apply. Should a student physically return to campus, they would need comply with this requirement.

†Medical exemptions (statement from a physician stating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for a student) must be renewed annually at the start of the school year and religious exemptions (statement from a student, or parent/guardian if the student is <18 years of age, stating that a vaccine is against sincerely held religious beliefs) should be renewed annually at the start of the school year.

A reliable history of chickenpox includes a diagnosis of chickenpox, or interpretation of parent/guardian description of chickenpox, by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or designee.