Immunization of Students
NEPN/NSBA Code:  JLCB

All students who enroll in the Yarmouth 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).

 One dose of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) is required for students entering 7th grade.

 Immunization against meningococcal disease is required as follows:

A.    One dose of meningococcal vaccine MCV4 is required for students entering 7th grade.

B.    Students entering 12th grade are required to have received two doses of MCV4. The first dose shall have been received on or after the 11th birthday, and the second dose shall have been received on or after the 16th birthday, at least eight weeks after the first dose.  Only one dose is required if the first dose is administered when the student is 16 years of age or older. 

Nonimmunized students shall not be permitted to attend school unless one of the following conditions are met:

 A.   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

B.    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

 C.    For the 2020-2021 school year, the parents/guardians state in writing that immunization is contrary to their sincere religious or philosophical beliefs. An exemption based on religious or philosophical beliefs is no longer available effective September 1, 2021, with one exception: a student covered by an IEP who elected a religious or philosophical exemption prior to September 1, 2021 may continue to attend school under the existing exemption so long as the parent/guardian or the student, if 18 years of age or older, provides a statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant that he/she has consulted with the parent/guardian or student and has made the parent/guardian or student aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize.

The Superintendent shall exclude from school any nonimmunized 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:                   
20A MRSA §§ 63526359
Chapter 126 (Me. Dept. of Ed. Rules)
Cross Reference:  
JLCC – Communicable/Infectious Diseases
JRA – Student Educational Records
Adopted:  February 1, 2005
Revised:  November 12, 2015, April 8 2021