Dear Healthcare
Colleague:
The State of Maryland has adopted a new immunization school
regulations that change the requirements for the 2006-2007 school
year. The important changes are as follows and correspond to the
student's age/grade as of August 2006:
Preschool:
One dose of Pneumococcal vaccine will be required for children ages
2-3 months and 2-5 years; two doses of Pneumococcal vaccine will be
requird for children between 4 months and 23 months; Hepatitis B - 1
dose required for children less than 1 month.
Middle School:
Hepatitis B: Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine will be
required for all students in grades 6,7 and 8;
Varicella: One dose of Varicella vaccine will be required for
all students in grades 6,7 and 8 who received the vaccien at age 12
or below. Two doses of Varicella vaccine will be required for all
students in grades 6,7 and 8 who receive the vaccine at age 13 or
above. Physician-confirmed disease, including recording the
monthly/year of disease or proof of immunity by blood test, will be
acceptable in lieu of Varicella vaccine.
High School:
Hepatitis B: Three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine will be
required for all students in grad 9;
Varicella: One dose of Varicella vaccine will be required for
all students in grade 9 who received the vaccine at age 12 or below.
Two doses of Varicella vaccine will be required for all students in
grad 9 who received the vaccine at age 13 or above. Physician
confirmed disease, including the month/year of disease or proof of
immunity by blood test, will be acceptable in lieu of Varicella
vaccine.
We are pleased to report that effective November 2005, the state has
included a "grace" period for minimum ages/spacing of immunizations.
All doses that are given less than or equal to 4 days before the
minimum age/spacing will now be considered valid.
We are working with Maryland schools to alert parents of these
changes and encouraging them to call your office to obtain
immunization records and/or make appointments early.