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Policy JLCB

Immunization of Students

All students who enroll in South Portland Public Schools are required by Maine law to present a certificate of immunization or evidence of immunization or immunity as follows:

Required for PreK entry:

  • 4 DTaP

  • 3 Polio

  • 1 MMR

  • 1 Varicella (chickenpox)

OR

  • Medical exemption for one or all vaccines

  • Laboratory evidence of immunity to specific diseases or reliable documented by a physician or other primary care provider

  • Philosophical or religious exemptions are only allowable for students with an IEP an exemption in place prior to September 1, 2021

Required for entry Kindergarten through 6th grade:

  • 5 DTaP (4 DTaP if 4th is given on or after 4th birthday)

  • 4 Polio (3 Polio if the 3rd is given on or after the 4th birthday)

  • 2 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

  • 2 1 Varicella (chickenpox)

OR

  • Medical exemption for one or all vaccines

  • Laboratory evidence of immunity to specific diseases or reliable documented by a physician or other primary care provider

  • Philosophical or religious exemptions are only allowable for students with an IEP exemption in place prior to September 1, 2021

Required for entry 7th grade through 11th grade:

  • All previously required vaccines

  • 1 Tdap

  • 1 Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4)

OR

  • Medical exemption for one or all vaccines

  • Laboratory evidence of immunity to specific diseases or reliable documented by a physician or other primary care provider

  • Philosophical or religious exemptions are only allowable for students with an IEP exemption in place prior to September 1, 2021

Required for 12th grade entry:

  • All previously required vaccines

  • 2 MCV4 (only one dose is required if the 1st dose is given on or after 16th birthday)

OR

  • Medical exemption for one or all vaccines

  • Laboratory evidence of immunity to specific diseases or reliable documented by a physician or other primary care provider

  • Philosophical or religious exemptions are only allowable for students with an IEP exemption in place prior to September 1, 2021

A student who is enrolled in a distance education program offered by a school and who does not physically attend any classes or programs at a school facility, including a campus, center or site of that school, or other facility of another school, are exempt from these requirements.

Non-immunized students shall not be permitted to enroll in school, or to attend school or school activities, unless one of the following conditions is met:

  • The guardians provide to the school written assurance that the child will be immunized within 90 days of enrolling in school or their first attendance in classes, whichever date is earlier. This option is available only once to each student during their school career; or

  • The parents/guardians provide a written statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant each year that, in that individual's professional judgment, immunization against one or more diseases may be medically inadvisable;

  • A student covered by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) on September 1, 2021, who had an exemption based on their sincere religious belief or for philosophical reasons on or prior to 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:

    • The parents/guardians of the student provide a statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant that they have consulted with the parents/guardians and has made the parents/guardians aware of the risks and benefits associated with immunization;

OR

  • 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 they have consulted with that student and has made that student aware of the risks and benefits associated with immunization.

Exclusion of Non-Immunized Students from School

The Superintendent shall exclude from school any non-immunized student when a public health official has reason to believe that the student's continued presence in school presents a clear danger to the health of others. Any such student shall be excluded during the period of danger (as defined by health officials) or until the student receives the necessary immunization.

The Superintendent may also exclude from school: 

  1. a student who presents a public health threat in accordance with applicable laws or 

  2. a student who has been exposed to a communicable disease, upon the direction of a physician who has consulted with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Arrangements shall be made for students who are excluded from school to receive and complete school assignments if possible, and to make up missed examinations and other work within a reasonable time upon their return to school.

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: 20-A MRSA §§ 6301; 6352-6359 Chapter 126 (Me. Dept. of Ed. Rules) Cross Reference: JLCC- Communicable/Infectious Diseases

Adopted: June 21, 2012

Revised: March 4, 2021

Revised: June 14, 2021

Revised: June 12, 2023

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