Recently, the Maine Legislature passed--and Governor Mills signed--LD 798, removing the philosophical and religious exemptions from school immunization requirements (at this time, there is no requirement for students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine). The bill, which was entered into law in May, 2019, is slated to take effect on September 1, 2021.
As a result, unless your child has laboratory evidence or reliable documentation from a healthcare provider of immunity or a medical exemption completed by a healthcare provider, all students (PreK-12) MUST receive the required vaccines below prior to the start of school:
Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis (DTaP)
Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
Polio (IPV)
Varicella (aka Chickenpox)
Meningococcal Conjugate
(students in grades 7-12 only)
We’ll remind families of this requirement again as the start of the school year approaches, but area healthcare providers are asking us to encourage families not to wait until the last minute.
If your child can not be vaccinated at the direction of a physician, please contact your school nurse and furnish verification thereof. Only documentation from a qualified healthcare provider will be considered.
The health and wellbeing of our students is certainly on everyone’s mind, and as we endeavor to return to school with students in session five days per week, we need you to do your part to ensure that our school is in compliance with a law intended to protect against preventable childhood illness. If you have any questions, please follow up with the school nurse or your primary care provider.
