Skip to main content

JLCB Immunization Requirements

All parents/guardians registering a student in the RSU 1 must show written proof that their child has received the following immunizations per State of Maine Immunization Law, [before] they may attend school. If written proof is not provided prior to the first day of school, an official notification will be sent by the superintendent to the parent/guardian that the student must, by law, be excluded from school until the documentation is received.

All children attending a public school or participating in any public school program in person, on school grounds, or a private school in Maine must have the following immunizations.

[CHOICES Pre-K Program]

  • 4 DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)

  • 3 Polio

  • 1 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

  • 1 Varicella (chickenpox) or reliable documented history of disease provided by a physician or other primary care provider.

[K-12th Grade]

Required for Kindergarten entry:

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

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

  • 2 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

  • 1 Varicella or reliable documented history of disease provided by a physician or other primary care provider.

Required for 7^th^ grade entry:

  • All previously required vaccines

  • 1 Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)

  • 1 Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)

Required for 12^th^ grade entry:

  • All previously required vaccines

  • 2 MCV4 (only one dose is required if the 1st dose is given on or after 16th birthday) OR

  • Medical exemption for one or all vaccines

  • Laboratory evidence of immunity to specific diseases

  • Philosophical or religious exemptions are only allowable for students with an IEP and exemption in place prior to September 1, 2021.

*Medical exemptions are still allowed and there is an exception for those students with an Individualized Education Plan and either philosophical or religious exemption that is in place prior to Sept 1, 2021. *

*These exceptions are allowed as follows: *

  • *Medical exemption: In accordance with MRS 20-A §6355, a parent/guardian must provide a written statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant that, in the licensed physician's, nurse practitioner or physician assistant's professional judgment, immunization against one or more of the diseases may be medically inadvisable. This is to be provided annually to the school where the child attends. *
  • *Philosophical or religious exemption: In accordance with MRS 20-A §6355, a student covered by an Individualized Education Plan on September 1, 2021 who elected a philosophical or religious exemption from immunization requirements on or before September 1, 2021 pursuant to the law in effect prior to that date may continue to attend school under that student's existing exemption as long as: * A. The parent or guardian of the student provides a statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant that the physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant has consulted with that parent or guardian and has made that parent or guardian aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize; or B. If the student is 18 years of age or older, the student provides a statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant that the physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant has consulted with that student and has made that student aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize.

Acceptable forms of evidence of immunization include: medical record from a medical office or Immpact, laboratory results, or official Certificate of Immunization. *Each immunization must include the vaccine type, date administered and the name of the provider. As of September 1, 2021 only medical exemptions are allowable except as described in Title 20-A §6355 .*One form of evidence must be provided to the school's main office for a child before they may attend RSU 1 schools.

A child who does not meet the immunization/immunity requirement may be enrolled in school under the following circumstances:

A. The parents/guardian provides written assurance to the school that the child will be immunized by private effort within 90 days of enrolling (officially registering) in school or first attendance in school classes, whichever date is the earliest. The granting of this 90 day period is a one-time provision. A child transferring from one school to another within the state may not be granted a second 90-day period, however, a period of 21 calendar days may be granted to allow for the transfer of health records from one school to another.

A child not immunized or immune from a disease shall be excluded from school and school activities when in the opinion of a public health official the child's continued presence in school poses clear danger to the health of others. The Superintendent shall exclude the child from school and school activities during the period of danger or until the child is immunized.

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 05-071 Chapter 126 Maine Department. of Education 10-144 Chapter 261 Department of Health and Human Services Maine CDC and Prevention

Adopted: December 15, 2008
Revised: June 26, 2017; May 21, 2018; April 27, 2020; June 28, 2021

Back to top