Milton School Committee approves new immunization policy; flu vaccines required by Dec. 31, 2020
Students entering school for the first time, whether at kindergarten or through transfer from another out of district school, will be required to present a physician’s certificate attesting to immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, poliomyelitis, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, chicken pox or documented history of this disease, and such other communicable diseases as may be specified from time to time by the Department of Public Health. The law and regulations provide for exclusion of students from school if immunizations are not up to date.
New flu vaccine requirement:
Seasonal influenza vaccine for the current flu season (July-June) must be received annually for anyone 6 months of age or older by December 31st. New students entering between January 1st and March 31st must have received a dose of vaccine for the current flu season for entry.
Students entering the seventh grade will be required to present a physician’s certificate attesting to immunizations against polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, chicken pox or documented history of the disease, Td booster and one MenACWY. Student’s entering the eleventh grade will be required to present a physician’s certificate attesting to immunizations against polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, chicken pox or documented history of the disease, Td booster and one booster dose of MenACWY given on or after 16 years of age.
Exceptions:
The only exception to these requirements will be made on receipt of a written statement from a doctor that immunization would not be in the best interests of the child; or, the student’s parent or guardians annual completion of the MPS religious exemption form. The only exception for exclusion of unimmunized or partially immunized children without medical or religious exemptions is for homeless children. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act stipulates that homeless children cannot be denied entry to school for non possession of immunization records. However, every effort is made by the school nurse to obtain a student’s immunization history.
When the case of a vaccine preventable disease emerges, susceptible individuals (including those with medical or religious exemptions) who are not vaccinated will need to be excluded for the appropriate time periods as outlined in Reportable Diseases, Surveillance and Isolation & Quarantine Requirements (105 CMR 300.00)
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