Immunization Records

DPH reminds parents to review their children's immunization records

As the 2006-2007 school year starts, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) wants to remind parents that a review of their child's immunization record should be part of their back-to-school preparations.

To protect students and staff from vaccine preventable diseases students are required to receive certain vaccinations before they can enter school. Recent outbreaks of mumps in the Midwest and measles here in Massachusetts serve as valuable reminders of the importance of vaccines.

"Ensuring all children are up-to-date with their vaccinations is critical to maintaining healthy school communities," said DPH Commissioner Paul J. Cote, Jr.

Current Immunization Requirements for Kindergarten Entry: five doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine; four doses of polio vaccine; two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine; three doses of hepatitis B vaccine; and one dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, unless a doctor's note verifying the student has already had chickenpox can be provided.

Current Immunization Requirements for Seventh Grade Entry: three doses of polio vaccine; two doses of MMR vaccine; three doses of hepatitis B vaccine; one or two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, unless a doctor's note verifying the student has already had chickenpox can be provided; and one Td or Tdap booster (if it has been more than five years since the last dose of DTap, DTP or DT was given).

Current Immunization Requirements for College: two doses of MMR vaccine; three doses of hepatitis B vaccine (for all full-time undergraduates and graduates and for all part- and full-time health science students); and one Td or Tdap booster within the last 10 years.

MMR Vaccine for School-aged Children: In light of the recent national mumps outbreak, it is very important to make sure students have two doses of MMR vaccine. National recommendations have been updated to emphasize the importance of two doses of MMR vaccine for school-aged children.

Meningococcal Immunization Requirements: One dose of meningococcal vaccine is required for all new students at public and private residential schools with grades nine to 12; and all new students in postsecondary schools (e.g., colleges) that provide or license housing. Residential and postsecondary institutions that provide or license housing are required to supply all new students with the DPH-developed information and waiver form. Students (or a parent/legal guardian) must read the information and either get vaccinated or sign the waiver portion of the form, electing to decline vaccination, or indicating that they were not able to receive the vaccine due to supply issues. School immunization requirements also apply to students visiting from other states and countries.

There are ongoing supply issues with meningococcal vaccine. DPH has revised its Information about Meningococcal Disease and Vaccination and Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges to include an option for students (or their parent/legal guardian) to select that states they were unable to be vaccinated due to the shortage of meningococcal vaccines. Students unvaccinated because of the shortage may want to consider being immunized once supplies improve and if they are still at increased risk of meningococcal disease.

The DPH Immunization Program distributes most of the required, routine childhood vaccines free of charge to all health care providers in Massachusetts and is one of only a small group of states in the country to do this. Providers may charge an administration fee, but must waive the fee if the patient cannot afford to pay. Some local boards of health also offer vaccination clinics.

Childhood immunizations are based on recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The schedule includes the recommended doses and guidelines for what ages the immunizations should be administered.

For more information on the recommended childhood immunization schedule, visit http://www.mas.sgov/dph or call the DPH Immunization Program at 888-658-2850.