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<chapter num="04" heading="School Health Services and Required Immunizations Before Entry into School" title_num="10" subtitle_num="06">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="School Health Services.">
    <text>The local health department shall cooperate with the local school system in implementing the School Health Services regulations found in COMAR 13A.05.05.05—15.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Health officer” means the health officer in each of the 23 counties of Maryland and the Commissioner of Health in Baltimore City, the designated representative of the health officer, or both.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Preschool program” means a program that enrolls children in an educational program below the level of kindergarten.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Regulated child care program” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>A family day care provider registered pursuant to COMAR 07.04.01;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>The operator of a child care center licensed pursuant to COMAR 07.04.02; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>The operator of a child care facility issued a letter of compliance pursuant to COMAR 07.04.05.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of Health or the Secretary's designee.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Required Immunizations.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Except as provided in Regulations .04—.06 of this chapter, a preschool or school principal or other person in charge of a preschool or school, public or private, may not knowingly admit a student to or retain a student in a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Preschool program unless the student's parent or guardian has furnished evidence of age-appropriate immunity against Haemophilus influenzae, type b, and pneumococcal disease;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Preschool program or kindergarten through the second grade of school unless the student's parent or guardian has furnished evidence of age-appropriate immunity against pertussis; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Preschool program or kindergarten through the 12th grade unless the student's parent or guardian has furnished evidence of age-appropriate immunity against:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Tetanus;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Diphtheria;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Poliomyelitis;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Measles (rubeola);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>Mumps;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(f)">
          <text>Rubella;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(g)">
          <text>Hepatitis B;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(h)">
          <text>Varicella;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Meningitis; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(j)">
          <text>Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis acquired through a Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Except as provided in Regulations .04—.06 of this chapter, a parent or guardian shall provide evidence of age-appropriate immunity to the preschool or school authority on a form provided by the Secretary or on a printed or computer-generated form that lists the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Name of the student;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Date of birth;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Name and address of parent or guardian;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Complete history of vaccines received with month, day, and year of each vaccine dose; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Signature, title, and date of the physician, health official, school official, or regulated child care program providing the information on the form.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Except as provided in Regulations .04—.06 of this chapter and §A(3) of this regulation, a student shall obtain immunizations in accordance with the schedule of immunizations recommended by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland and the Secretary, as set forth in §D of this regulation and as required to be implemented in §§E and F of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Schedule of Immunizations.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Student in Preschool. In order for the immunization status of a student enrolled in a preschool to be complete, the student's parent or guardian shall provide proof of the following doses of immunizations:</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Student in Kindergarten Through 12th Grade.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>In order for the immunization status of a student enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade to be complete, the student's parent or guardian shall provide proof of the immunizations or immunity as outlined in §D(2)(b)—(l) of this regulation.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Diphtheria.</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Four doses of diphtheria immunization vaccine are required for a student younger than 7 years old; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Three doses of diphtheria immunization vaccine are required for a student 7 years old or older.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Tetanus.</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Four doses of tetanus immunization vaccine are required for a student younger than 7 years old; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Three doses of tetanus immunization vaccine are required for a student 7 years old or older.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Pertussis. Four doses of pertussis immunization vaccine are required for a student younger than 7 years old.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>Poliomyelitis (Oral or Injectable).</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Three doses of poliomyelitis immunization vaccine are required for a student younger than 18 years old; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Proof of immunity from poliomyelitis by blood test is required for a student younger than 18 years old.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(f)">
          <text>Rubella.</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Two doses of live rubella virus vaccine are required when the student is 1 year old or older; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Proof of immunity from rubella by blood test is required when the student is 1 year old or older.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(g)">
          <text>Measles (rubeola).</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Two doses of live measles (rubeola) virus vaccine are required when the student is 1 year old or older; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Proof of immunity from rubeola by blood test is required when the student is 1 year old or older.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(h)">
          <text>Mumps.</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Two doses of live mumps virus vaccine are required when the student is 1 year old or older; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Proof of immunity from mumps by blood test is required when the student is 1 year old or older.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Hepatitis B.</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine are required; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Proof of immunity from hepatitis B by blood test is required.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(j)">
          <text>Varicella.</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>All doses of varicella vaccine shall be given when the student is 1 year old or older.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Per the schedule of implementation in §E(1) of this regulation and except as provided in §D(2)(j)(iii) of this regulation, one dose of live varicella vaccine is required for a student younger than 13 years old, or two doses of live varicella vaccine are required for a student 13 years old or older, if the student does not have proof of vaccination against varicella at an age younger than 13 years old.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iii)">
            <text>Proof of immunity from varicella by blood test or by medical diagnosis indicated by month and year of diagnosis may be provided instead of meeting the requirements of §D(2)(j)(ii) or (iv) of this regulation.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iv)">
            <text>Per the schedule of implementation in §E(2) of this regulation and except as provided in §D(2)(j)(iii) of this regulation, two doses of live varicella vaccine are required.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(k)">
          <text>Meningococcal. One dose of meningococcal vaccine is required per the schedule of implementation in §F of this regulation.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(l)">
          <text>Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap). One dose of Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunization vaccine is required per the schedule of implementation in §F of this regulation.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Record Review for Student in Preschool Through 12th Grade. A preschool or school, public or private, may count as valid, vaccine doses administered less than or equal to 4 days before the minimum interval or age.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Schedule of Implementation: Varicella Effective Immunization Dates for a Student in Kindergarten Through 12th Grade.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>As set forth in §E(2) of this regulation, by the date listed in Column 1, the parent or guardian of a student entering the grade listed in Column 2 shall provide proof to the school that the student:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Has received age appropriate vaccination with varicella vaccine; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Is immune to varicella by providing the results of a blood test or a medical diagnosis indicated by month and year of diagnosis.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>One-Dose Requirement Immunization Dates for a Student in Kindergarten Through 12th Grade.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>As set forth in §E(4) of this regulation, by the date listed in Column 1, the parent or guardian of a student entering the grade listed in Column 2 shall provide proof to the kindergarten or school that the student:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Has received two doses of varicella vaccine; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Is immune to varicella by providing the results of a blood test or a medical diagnosis indicated by month and year of diagnosis.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Two-Dose Requirement Immunization Dates for a Student in Kindergarten Through 12th Grade.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>Schedule of Implementation: Meningococcal and Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) Effective Immunization Dates for a Student in Preschool Through 12th Grade.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>As set forth in §F(2) of this regulation, by the date listed in Column 1, the parent or guardian of a student entering the grade listed in Column 2 shall provide proof to the preschool or school that the student has received one dose of:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Meningococcal immunization vaccine; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunization vaccine.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Immunization Dates for a Student in 7th Through 12th Grade.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Medical Contraindications.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The requirements of Regulation .03 of this chapter do not apply to a student who presents a licensed physician's or health officer's written statement that the student's immunization against a disease in Regulation .03 of this chapter is medically contraindicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The physician or health officer shall indicate in the statement presented under §A of this regulation whether the contraindication is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Permanent; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Temporary.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>If the contraindication is temporary:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The physician or health officer shall provide in the statement presented under §A of this regulation an estimate of when the immunization may be obtained by the student; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The student's parent or guardian shall furnish to the preschool or school evidence of the completion of the immunization in accordance with the estimate.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>A preschool or school, public or private, shall maintain a current list of all students enrolled who have an exemption to immunizations on medical grounds.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Annually, by November 15, a preschool or school, public or private, shall report to the Secretary of Health the number of students with a medical exemption enrolled in all grades.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Religious Exemption.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Using the form provided by the Maryland Department of Health, a student whose parent or guardian objects to immunization on the ground that the immunization conflicts with the parent's or guardian's bona fide religious beliefs and practices is exempt from the requirement to present a physician's certificate of immunization in order that the student be admitted to school.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The exemption allowed under §A of this regulation does not apply when the Secretary declares an emergency or epidemic of disease.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>A preschool or school, public or private, shall maintain a current list of all students enrolled who have an exemption to immunizations on religious grounds.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Annually, by November 15th, a preschool or school, public or private, shall report to the Secretary of Health the number of students with a religious exemption enrolled in all grades.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Temporary Admission or Retention.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Subject to the provisions of §B of this regulation, a preschool or school, public or private, shall temporarily admit a student to or retain a student in a preschool or school if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The student is homeless; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The student's parent or guardian is unable to provide proof of immunization pursuant to the requirements of Regulation .03 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>In order for a student to be temporarily admitted to or retained in a preschool or school, the student's parent or guardian shall present evidence of the student's appointment with a health care provider or local health department to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Receive a required immunization;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Reconstruct a lost record; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Acquire evidence of age-appropriate immunity on a form provided by the Department.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>The date of the appointment pursuant to §B of this regulation may not be later than 20 calendar days following the date the student was temporarily admitted or retained.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>A preschool or school, public or private, shall exclude from school a student who has been temporarily admitted or retained on the next school day following the appointment date if the student's parent or guardian fails to provide evidence of required immunizations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Vaccine Provision.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A student may have an immunization administered by the student's personal physician.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>If a parent or guardian cannot obtain the service of a private physician, the parent or guardian of the student may take the student to the local health department for the immunizations.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>A local health department shall provide the immunization referenced in §B of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Record Review.">
    <text>A preschool or school, public or private, shall make immunization records of students available for review by a health officer as needed to assure compliance with regulations or to ascertain the immunization status of students.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" heading="Report on New Students.">
    <text>Annually, by November 15, on a form provided by the Department, a preschool or school, public or private, shall provide the health officer of the jurisdiction where the school is located with an immunization report of students in preschool through 12th grade who are new to the school.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" heading="Responsible Agencies.">
    <text>The local superintendents of schools and the local health officers shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this chapter.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Education Article, §7-403 and Health-General Article, §18-102(a), Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date:</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended as an emergency provision effective May 10, 1977 (4:11 Md. R. 865); emergency status extended at 4:22 Md. R. 1667 and 4:27 Md. R. 2095 (Emergency provisions are temporary and not printed in COMAR)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended effective December 16, 1977 (4:26 Md. R. 2024) and May 18, 1979 (6:10 Md. R. 842)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01A amended and C adopted effective February 11, 1985 (12:3 Md. R. 245)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 amended effective January 2, 1984 (10:26 Md. R. 2340)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Annotation: COMAR 10.06.04.03 cited in Davis v. State, 294 Md. 370 (1982), in which the court held that “membership in a recognized religious group cannot be required as a condition of exemption from vaccination”. The religious exemption was held to contravene the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and was therefore invalid. The immunization requirement itself was found to be severable and remains in force.</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter revised effective March 30, 1992 (19:6 Md. R. 672)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 amended effective April 22, 1996 (23:8 Md. R. 605); May 19, 1997 (24:10 Md. R. 710)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.10 repealed and new Regulations .01—.10 adopted effective November 24, 2005 (32:23 Md. R. 1826)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 amended effective November 12, 2012 (39:22 Md. R. 1428)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03E amended as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2006 (33:15 Md. R. 1273); amended permanently effective September 25, 2006 (33:19 Md. R. 1560)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03F adopted as an emergency provision effective March 20, 2007 (34:8 Md. R. 766); emergency provision expired</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>