New Maine School Vaccine Requirements.

In May 2019, the Maine Legislature passed LD 798, a law prohibiting immunization exemptions for philosophical and/or religious reasons for all students attending any public OR private school in the state of Maine. This law takes effect on September 1, 2021. The only exceptions to the law are for : 1) medical reasons, as approved by a medical provider, 2) laboratory evidence or reliable, medical documentation of a disease, or 3) an IEP student with an already declared philosophical/religious exemption prior to 9/1/2021.

While people may or may not agree with this law, it is a law that aims to protect Maine’s school communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. This law does not apply to all vaccines — Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, H. Influenza, Rotavirus and HPV are not included in this law. People are wondering what the law states, and how to meet the requirements — hence this quick review of what is needed, broken into pre-K, kindergarten, 7th grade and 12th grade. Of note, a single 90 day waiver is provided for parents with written proof that they have begun the immunization process.

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS TO ENTER PRE-K:

4 DTaP

3 Polio

1 MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella)

1 Varicella (chickenpox)

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN:

5 DTaP (4 if 4th dose is given on or after 4th birthday)

4 Polio (3 if 3rd dose is given on or after 4th birthday)

2 MMR

1 Varicella

TO ENTER 7th GRADE:

All previously required vaccines

1 Tdap

1 MCV4 meningococcal vaccine

To enter 12 grade:

All previously required vaccines

2 MCV4 (or one dose if given on, or after age 16)

It can take several months to fully catch up on immunizations. If you have questions about your child’s immunization status, reach out to their pediatrician for more information. In addition, school nurses also have access to the Immpact, the Maine system of tracking all childhood immunizations.