Please Note: When submitting your child's immunization records to the Student Registration Center, please make sure that the dates on which vaccines were given are listed. We need documentation of the dates for each vaccine given. Please be sure to bring your child's vaccination record, immunization card, vaccination book, etc. when you register.
Massachusetts General Law requires children to have the vaccines listed below before attending Cambridge Schools. While we know that different countries have differing immunization schedules, all vaccination requirements listed below apply to all students, including individuals from another country or state. The immunizations listed below represent the minimum requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 220) before admission to school. Parents/guardians may register a child with incomplete immunizations, but children will not be admitted to school without documentation that these immunizations have been completed.
Massachusetts school immunization requirements are created under authority of 105 CMR 220.000 Immunization of Students Before Admission to School.
Requirements apply to all students including individuals from another country attending or visiting classes or educational programs as part of an academic visitation or exchange program. Requirements apply to all students, even if over 18 years of age.
Childcare/Preschool
Requirements listed in the table below apply to all attendees ≥2 years. These requirements also apply to children in preschool classes called K0 or K1.
Hib
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1-4 doses; the number of doses is determined by vaccine product and age the series begins
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DTaP
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4 doses
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Polio
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3 doses
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Hepatitis B
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3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
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MMR
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1 dose; must be given on or after the 1st birthday; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
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Varicella
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1 dose; must be given on or after the 1st birthday; a reliable history of chickenpox* or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
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Grades K-6
DTaP/Tdap
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5 doses; 4 doses are acceptable if the fourth dose is given on or after the 4th birthday. DT is only acceptable with a letter stating a medical contraindication to DTaP
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Polio
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4 doses; fourth dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday and ≥6 months after the previous dose, or a fifth dose is required. 3 doses are acceptable if the third dose is given on or after the 4th birthday and ≥6 months after the previous dose
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Hepatitis B
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3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
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MMR
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2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and second dose must be given ≥28 days after first dose; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
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Varicella
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2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and second dose must be given ≥28 days after first dose; a reliable history of chickenpox* or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
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Please note - You must provide the most recent physical exam record and TB Risk Assessment or PPD to the school nurse when your child starts school.
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Lead Screening - For kindergarten students, you must provide your child's lead test results to the school nurse. Children who have never been screened for lead poisoning must get tested to fulfill kindergarten entry requirements.
Grades 7-12
Tdap
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1 dose; and history of DTaP primary series or age-appropriate catch-up vaccination. Tdap given at ≥7 years may be counted, but a dose at age 11-12 is recommended if Tdap was given earlier as part of a catch-up schedule. Td or Tdap should be given if it has been ≥10 years since last Tdap
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Polio
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4 doses; fourth dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday and ≥6 months after the previous dose, or a fifth dose is required. 3 doses are acceptable if the third dose is given on or after the 4th birthday and ≥6 months after the previous dose
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Hepatitis B
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3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable. 2 doses of Heplisav-B given on or after 18 years of age are acceptable
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MMR
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2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and second dose must be given ≥28 days after first dose; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
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Varicella
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2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and second dose must be given ≥28 days after first dose; a reliable history of chickenpox* or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable
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Meningococcal Requirements
Grade 7-10
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1 dose; 1 dose MenACWY (formerly MCV4) required. Meningococcal B vaccine is not required and does not meet this requirement
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Grade 11-12
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2 doses; second dose MenACWY (formerly MCV4) must be given on or after the 16th birthday and ≥ 8 weeks after the previous dose. 1 dose is acceptable if it was given on or after the 16th birthday. Meningococcal B vaccine is not required and does not meet this requirement
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The immunizations listed above represent the minimum requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 220) before admission to school. Parents/guardians may register a child with incomplete immunizations, but children will not be admitted to school without documentation that these immunizations have been completed.