JLCB: IMMUNIZATION OF STUDENTS
All students who enroll in Kittery 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.
Effective with the 2018-2019 school year, the following immunization requirements apply to meningococcal disease:
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.
As of September 1, 2021, philosophical and religious exemptions will no longer be recognized by the school district pursuant to L.D. 798 and in keeping with Maine Law. Until then, parents/guardians must state in writing that immunization is contrary to their sincere religious or philosophical beliefs.
Non-immunized students shall not be permitted to attend school unless one of the following conditions is 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 parent or the child provides a physician’s written statement from a licensed physician, nurse
practitioner or physician assistant that, in the licensed physician’s, nurse practitioner’s or physician assistant’s professional judgment, immunization against one or more of the diseases may be medically inadvisable.
C. Student covered by individualized education plan. 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:
1. 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
2. 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 the student and has made that student aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice of immunize.
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.
Adopted: June 5, 2018
Revised: October 1, 2019
Reviewed by Policy Committee: May 16, 2022
Legal References:
20-A MRSA §§ 6352-6359 (as amended by L.D. 798, 2019)
Me. Dept. of Educ. Rule Ch. 126 (May 10, 2018)
20-A MRSA §§ 8402
Cross Reference:
JLCC – Communicable/Infectious Diseases
JRA – Student Educational Records