New 2014-2015 Vaccination Requirements For Students Entering Kindergarten, 7th Grade

New Maryland immunization regulations will mean additional vaccinations for students entering kindergarten and 7th grade in the 2014-15 school year.

-Students entering kindergarten in 2014-15 will be required to have had two (2) doses of Varicella vaccine (for Chickenpox). Currently, only one (1) dose of Varicella vaccine is required.

-Students entering 7th grade in 2014-15 will be required to have had one (1) dose of Tdap vaccine and one (1) dose of Meningococcal vaccine. These vaccine requirements are new for 7th graders.

Wicomico County Public Schools is informing parents of the new vaccination requirements now so they will have ample time to ensure that children have the required vaccinations prior to the start of the 2014-15 school year. Middle schools have begun sharing a notice of the new requirements for 7th graders, and information on the new requirements for kindergartners will be shared with parents of current prekindergarten students as well as with parents of incoming kindergartners during kindergarten registration, which begins April 30.

Parents are encouraged to check their child’s health record and schedule immunization appointments as needed to ensure the child meets the new state requirements by the start of the 2014-15 school year. Some health insurance plans offer an electronic copy of the immunization form that can be submitted to school staff, or an up-to-date immunization record may be requested from a doctor’s office. Parents are responsible for providing each school with their child’s updated vaccine record.

Parents should contact the child’s primary care provider with questions. For Wicomico County children without health insurance, immunizations are available through the Wicomico County Health Department by calling 410-543-6943 to make an appointment.

Vaccination Requirements 2014-15