Immunization of Students
Maine School Administrative District #31
IMMUNIZATION OF STUDENTS
All students who enroll in Maine School Administrative District #31 schools are required by Maine law to present a certificate of immunization or evidence of immunization or immunity against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chicken pox).
Effective with the 2018-2019 school year, Maine’s immunization requirements also apply to meningococcal disease:
One dose of meningococcal vaccine MCV4 is required for all students entering 7th grade.
Two doses of meningococcal vaccine MCV4 are required for students entering 12th grade, with a minimum interval of eight weeks between dose one and dose two. If the first dose of meningococcal vaccine was administered on or after the student’s 16th birthday, a second dose is not required.
Non-immunized students shall not be permitted to attend school unless one of the following conditions are met:
The parents/guardians provide to the school written assurance that the child will be immunized within 90 days of enrolling in school or his/her first attendance in classes, whichever date is earlier. This option is available only once to each student during their school career; or
The parents/guardians provide a physician’s written statement each year that immunization against one or more diseases may be medically inadvisable (as defined by law/regulation); or
The parents/guardians state in writing each year that immunization is contrary to their sincere religious or philosophical beliefs.
The Superintendent shall exclude from school any non-immunized student when there is a clear danger to the health of others as provided by law.
The Superintendent/designee is directed to develop such administrative procedures as are necessary to carry out this policy and comply with statutory requirements.
Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA §§ 6352-6359
Me. Dept. of Educ. Rule Ch. 126 (May 10, 2018)
Cross Reference: JLCC – Communicable/Infectious Diseases
JRA – Student Educational Records
First Reading: 09/19/2018
Second Reading: 10/17/2018