Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, Maryland adopted a new immunization policy. It lays out which vaccinations are required for all school children to register for school. This includes those attending private schools. Also some vaccinations are now required for children in preschool and daycare.
Most of these shots need to be done before a child enters kindergarten. However, because some of these requirements are new older children may not have had all of these before starting school. Check with your family doctor.
In some cases like chicken pox, proof of immunity may be acceptable, either by way of a blood test or by a physician's certification that the child has already had the disease.
Maryland now gives a small grace period (4 days) for multi-shot vaccinations done a few days before the next scheduled interval. For example, if your child had one dose of a vaccination on her 3rd birthday and was scheduled for the next one a year later, you could bring her in to the pediatrician four days before her 4th birthday. That vaccination would be considered valid. If you brought her in a week early, it would not.
To register your child in school, download the Maryland's immunization certification form and bring it to your family physician prior to enrolling your child.
Required Vaccinations in Maryland
DPT/DTaP - Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) - 4 doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) or combined vaccine (3 doses of diphtheria and tetanus for children over 7 years of age).
Polio - 3 doses of polio vaccine for a student younger than age 18; oral or injectable is acceptable.
Measles (rubeola) - 2 doses of live measles virus vaccine received on or after student's first birthday, or proof of immunity by blood test for students entering K - 12 grade; pre-K or younger, 1 dose.
Rubella (German measles) - 1 dose of live rubella vaccine on or after student's first birthday or proof of immunity by blood test for students entering K - 12 grade.
Mumps - 1 dose of live mumps vaccine on or after student's first birthday or proof of immunity by blood test for students entering K - 12 grade.
Varicella (Chicken pox) - 1 dose of Varicella vaccine on or after student's first birthday, or proof of immunity by blood test for students entering pre-school through 9th grade. Physician documented history of chicken pox disease is acceptable if moth and year of disease is specified.
Hepatitis B - 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine for students entering preschool through 9th grade. Blood test verification of immunity is acceptable in lieu of Hepatitis B vaccination dates.
HIB requirement - All students less than 60 months of age (5 years) must have received Haemophilus Influenza, type B vaccine (HIB) to be entered or enrolled in preschool. The student must have 1 dose of HIB on or after the 1st birthday. This is not required for K - 12 students.
Pneumococcal (Prevnar/PCV7) - All students less than 60 months (5 years) must have received a minimum of 1 dose Prevnar (PCV7) to be enrolled in preschool This is not required for K - 12 students.
