Vaccines are a safe and inexpensive way to provide long lasting protection against certain diseases which may cause permanent mental or physical damage to your child.

Maine State Law requires that all school children in Pre-Kindergarten through the 12th grade be protected against polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus (lock jaw), measles, rubella (German measles), mumps, chicken pox and meningococcal.  Before registering for school, all children must present an immunization record signed by the physician, nurse, or health official who gave the vaccine.  The record must show the date (month, day and year) and type of vaccine given.

Maine State Law requires that all children entering a public pre-kindergarten program must have, at a minimum, documentation of the following immunizations:

 

4 doses of DPT/DT/Dtap (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine

3 doses of IPV/OPV (Polio) vaccine

1 dose of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine

Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine or proof from physician of actual disease

If immunization against one or more of the diseases is determined to be medically inadvisable, the parent must present to the school a physician's written statement to that effect, at the time of registration to school.  If the statement does not include all diseases, the child must meet the immunization/immunity requirements for the other diseases.

To demonstrate that a child is immune to any of the diseases, the parent must present the school with laboratory evidence demonstrating immunity at the time of registration.