LEONARDTOWN, MD (July 13, 2015) – The St. Mary’s County Health Department reminds parents that now is the time to review their child’s immunizations records to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Parents are encouraged to contact their primary health care provider as soon as possible if they have questions about their child’s vaccination status or to make an appointment for required immunizations.
Proof of complete primary immunizations against certain childhood communicable diseases is required for all students in preschool through the 12th grade. Maryland law requires that students who do not provide proof of vaccination within 20 days of entrance be excluded from school. For students entering kindergarten and 7th grade, immunization regulations require the following:
- Proof of a second dose of varicella (chicken pox) vaccination is required for students entering kindergarten.
- Proof of Tdap vaccination, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), is required for students entering 7th grade.
- Proof of one dose of MCV4 (meningitis) vaccination, is required for students entering 7th grade.
For more information about back-to-school school vaccination requirements in Maryland, visit the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) website.
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