Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements 2020-2021

Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements 2020-2021

Grades Kindergarten — 6

In ungraded classrooms, Kindergarten requirements apply to all students 25 years.

DTaP

5 doses; 4 doses are acceptable if the fourth dose is given on or after the 4th birthday. DT is only acceptable with a letter stating a medical contraindication to DTaP

Polio

4 doses; fourth dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday and è6 months after the previous dose, or a fifth dose is required. 3 doses are acceptable if the third dose is given on or after the 4th birthday and 26 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 second dose must be given 228 days after first dose; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

Varicella

2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and second dose must be given ž28 days after first dose; a reliable history of chickenpox* or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

NEW — Influenza Requirement

1 dose; seasonal influenza vaccine for the current flu season (July-June) must be received annually by December 31st. New students entering between January 1st and March 31st must have received a dose of vaccine for the current flu season for entry.

Depending on the child's flu vaccination history, ACIP may recommend a second dose of flu vaccine in the same season. In these cases, the second dose is recommended but is not required for school entry.

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

¶ 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.

tMedical exemptions (statement from a physician stating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for a student) 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.

MDPH Immunization Division 2020-2021 School Year