Immunizations

School Immunization Law, Chapter 76, Section 15 of the General Laws of the State of Massachusetts requires that all immunizations must be up to date for children to attend school.

• Massachusetts General Law allows for the school district to exclude children from school whose immunizations are not up to date.
• A certified record of immunizations from your child's physician(s) is required for entry into school.
• All immunization records must be provided in English and include full dates.

Immunizations are audited by the school nurses. In the event of missing or incorrect information, your prompt attention in addressing the error/omission is imperative to assure compliance with state law. The current state requirements can be found here: Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements from Mass.gov

• Hib: 1-4 doses; the number of doses is determined by vaccine product and age the series began
• DTaP: 4 doses
• Polio: 3 doses
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
• MMR: 1 dose; must be given on or after the 1st birthday; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
• Varicella: 1 dose; must be given on or after the 1st birthday; a physician documented case of chickenpox or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

• DTaP: 5 doses; 4 doses acceptable if the 4th dose is given on or after the 4th birthday. DT is only acceptable with a letter stating medical contraindication to DTaP
• Polio: 4 doses; 4th dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday and ≥ 6 months after the previous dose, or a 5th dose is required. 3 doses are acceptable if the 3rd dose is given on or after the 4th birthday and ≥ 6 months after the previous dose.
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
• MMR: 2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and the 2nd dose must be given ≥ 28 days after previous dose; laboratory evidence of immunity accepted.
• Varicella: 2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and the 2nd dose must be given ≥ 28 days after previous dose; a physician documented case of chickenpox or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

• Tdap: 1 dose and a history of DTaP primary series or age-appropriate catch-up vaccination.
• Polio: 4 doses; 4th dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday and ≥ 6 months after the previous dose, or a 5th dose is required. 3 doses are acceptable if the 3rd dose is given on or after the 4th birthday and ≥ 6 months after the previous dose.
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
• MMR: 2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and the 2nd dose must be given ≥ 28 days after previous dose; laboratory evidence of immunity accepted.
• Varicella: 2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and the 2nd dose must be given ≥ 28 days after previous dose; a physician documented case of chickenpox or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

• Grade 7-9: 1 dose; 1 dose MenACWY (formerly MCV4) required. Meningococcal B vaccine is not required and does not meet this requirement.
• Grade 11-12: 2 doses; second dose MenACWY (formerly MCV4) must be given on or after the 16th birthday and ≥ 8 weeks after the previous dose. 1 dose is acceptable if it was given on or after the 16th birthday. Meningococcal B vaccine is not required and does not meet this requirement.

Per the Department of Public Health:

Massachusetts students must provide documentation of immunization, according to school requirements, or show a medical or religious exemption. Medical exemptions come from the student’s doctor and document a contraindication — the reason why an individual cannot medically receive the vaccine. Religious exemptions come from the parent/guardian, and state in writing that a vaccine conflicts with his/her sincerely held religious belief.

Request for Religious Exemption from Immunization Requirements 

Parents/guardians are not required to use the aforementioned  Request for Religious Exemption form and may submit their provided it complies with the provisions of Chapter 76, Section 15, General Laws of Massachusetts.

Furthermore, if your child requires a Medical Immunization Exemption, a parent/guardian must provide a letter from the child's healthcare provider that details the contraindication or medical justification for the vaccination's omission. If applicable, a proposed delayed vaccination schedule should also be included.

All exemptions and delayed vaccination schedules should be submitted directly to your designated school nurse, either in person or via fax.

For the most updated information on Massachusetts School Immunization requirements, please visit the mass.gov link:

MA School Immunization Requirements 

If you need a copy of the Massachusetts Certificate of Immunizations to be completed by your healthcare provider, please click here and return to your school nurse:

Certificate of Immunizations