5/8/2018
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This letter is a reminder to parents/caregivers that The Maine Department of Health and Human
Services and Department of Education requires that students entering, advancing or transfering
into 7th grade this fall need to receive one dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
vaccine, and o ne dose of the meningococcal vaccine MCV4 (serogroups A, C, W and Y) prior to
the first day of the 20182019
school year. The Maine School Immunization Requirement has
been updated for the 20182019
year to include meningococcal meningitis vaccine MCV4. These
changes further align Maine’s immunization rules with current national recommendations to
better protect the health of all Maine people.
Proof of these immunizations is a requirement by Maine law for enrollment in a Maine public or
private school. There are two exceptions. 1. If the student’s physician believes the immunizations
are medically inadvisable, a written statement to that effect signed by the physician must be
given to the school each school year. 2. If you have a religious or philosophical objection to
immunizations, you must write a statement indicating your objections and provide to the school
each school year. Please be aware that students, who have a waiver of immunization either for
medical or religious or philosophical reasons, will be excluded from school if there is an
outbreak of a disease for which the student is not immunized.
We are providing you with this information now so that you have ample time to schedule an
appointment prior to the first day of the 20182019
school year.
Meningococcal disease is a rare, but dangerous disease that strikes healthy young people without
warning. It can affect all ages, but teens and young adults are at highest risk of getting the
disease. Attached you will find the Frequently Asked Questions for more information on this
new school immunization requirement (the MCV4), as well as information on the Tdap vaccine.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 4452346
ext. 4112 or by email
bhanson@svrsu.org . For further questions, please contact the Maine Immunization Program at
(207) 2873746
or (800) 8674775
or by email at ImmunizeME.DHHS@maine.gov .
Thank you,
Brittany Hanson, RN School Nurse
Maine Immunization Program
Tel. (207) 287-3746
Fax (207) 287-8127
NEW 2018-2019 Maine School Entry Requirement for Meningococcal Vaccine
Frequently Asked Questions
- • What is the new meningococcal vaccination requirement? o One dose of MCV4 is required for all students entering 7grade.>span class="Apple-converted-space">
- o Two doses of MCV4 are required for students entering 12grade, with a minimum of 8 weeks between dose one and dose two. If the first dose of MCV4 was administered on or after the 16>span class="s4"birthday, a second dose is not required. If a student entering 12>span class="s4"grade is 15 years of age or younger, only one dose is required.>span class="Apple-converted-space">
Starting in the 2018-2019 school year, all students entering, advancing, or transferring into 7grade and 12>span class="s4"grade in Maine public and private schools must have proof that they have the age appropriate meningococcal vaccines (MCV4) serogroups A, C, W, and Y.>span class="Apple-converted-space">
- • Why was the meningococcal vaccination requirement added?
Meningococcal disease is a rare but dangerous disease that strikes healthy young people without warning. It can cause meningitis and sepsis. Meningococcal infections can be treated with antibiotics, but even with treatment, about 10-15% of people who get sick will die. Another 10-20% will survive but suffer lifelong disabilities such as hearing loss, loss of arms or legs, or brain damage.
Meningococcal disease spreads easily in large groups and in dormitory-style settings. An infected person can spread the disease by coughing or sneezing directly into the face of others, by kissing a person on the mouth, or by sharing a glass or cup. That is why it is so important to make sure teens and young adults get vaccinated when they are at most risk.
The meningococcal vaccine is the best protection from this very serious disease. It can affect all ages, but teens and young adults are at highest risk of getting this disease. The meningococcal vaccine has been recommended by many health care providers for more than a decade. It is a school requirement in more than 20 states.
- • Which vaccine does my student need?
MCV4 is the preferred vaccine for preteens and teens. It helps protect them from the four most common types of meningococcal disease in the U.S. (types A, C, W and Y). There are currently two FDA approved vaccines available in the U.S., with the brand names Menactra and Menveo. Either of these vaccines will satisfy the new school requirement.
Another meningococcal vaccine is also available for teens. It is the Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (MenB), brand names Bexsero and Trumenba. This vaccine is not required for school entry and cannot be used to fulfill the school entrance requirement. It helps protect against a different type of meningococcal disease. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions about MenB vaccine.
- • Why does the CDC recommend a routine booster dose of MCV4 for adolescents age 16 years and older?
Protection from a single dose of MCV4 vaccination declines in most adolescents within 5 years. A second dose is needed at age 16 to boost protection during the ages when adolescents are at highest risk of meningococcal disease.
- • What if my student received one dose of MCV4 vaccine just before the 16birthday? Does the student need the second dose?>span class="Apple-converted-space">
Yes. If the student was vaccinated at age 15 years 11 months, the student will need a second dose after age 16. The minimum interval between dose one and dose two must be at least 8 weeks.
- • What if a student had meningitis as an infant or child, will they still need the vaccine?
Yes. A history of meningitis does not meet the school requirement. A student with a history of meningitis will still need to meet the meningococcal vaccination requirement for 7and 12>span class="s4"grade entry.>span class="Apple-converted-space">
- • What exemptions are available under Maine law? o Medical exemptions: Physicians may grant, in writing, an exemption for students for whom immunizations are not medically indicated.
- o Religious: You may request an exemption for children from immunization requirements if the immunization is contrary to your religious beliefs. The parent or guardian requesting an exemption needs to provide the school with a signed note stating the objection. Religious exemptions must be renewed annually.
- o Philosophical exemptions: You may request an exemption for children from immunization requirements if the immunization is contrary to your personal beliefs. The parent or guardian requesting an exemption needs to provide the school with a signed note stating the objection. Philosophical exemptions must be renewed annually.
Maine law describes three exemptions for student immunization requirements. Schools should maintain an up-to-date list of students with exemptions so those students can be excluded quickly if an outbreak occurs.
- • When should students get vaccinated with MCV4?
Now. Avoid the rush and make sure your children can start school on time. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment for their incoming 7and 12 span class="s4"grade children to get a meningococcal vaccination as soon as possible. Children will need proof of this vaccination in order to attend a Maine public or private school this fall.
Tdap Vaccine for Preteens and Teens
Why does my child need Tdap vaccine?
Babies and little kids get shots called DTaP to protect them
from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
But as kids get older, the protection from the DTaP shots
starts to wear off. This can put your preteen or teen at risk
for serious illness. The tetanus-diphtheria-acelluar pertussis
(Tdap) vaccine is a booster shot that helps protect your
preteen or teen from the same diseases that DTaP shots
protect little kids from.
• Tetanus is caused by a toxin (poison) made by bacteria
found in soil. The bacteria enter the body through cuts,
scratches, or puncture wounds in the skin. Tetanus can
cause spasms which are painful muscle cramps in the
jaw muscle (lockjaw) and throughout the body. The
spasms can cause breathing problems and paralysis. A
preteen or teen with tetanus could spend weeks in the
hospital in intensive care. As many as 1 out of 5 people
who get tetanus dies.
• Diphtheria is not as common as tetanus but can
be very dangerous. It spreads from person to person
through coughing or sneezing. It causes a thick coating
on the back of the nose or throat that can make it
hard to breathe or swallow. It can also cause paralysis
and heart failure. About 1 out of 10 people who get
diphtheria will die from it.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) spreads very easily
through coughing and sneezing. It can cause a bad cough
that makes someone gasp for air after coughing fits. This
cough can last for many weeks, which can make preteens
and teens miss school and other activities. Whooping
cough can be deadly for babies who are too young to
have protection from their own vaccines. Often babies
get whooping cough from their older brothers or sisters,
like preteens or teens, or other people in the family.
When should my child be vaccinated?
All preteens should get one Tdap shot when they are 11 or
12 years old. If your teen is 13 years old up through 18 years
old and hasn’t gotten the shot yet, talk to their doctor about
getting it for them right away.
What else should I know about the vaccine?
The Tdap shot has been studied very carefully and is safe.
It is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Family
Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.
The Tdap shot can cause mild side effects, like redness and
soreness in the arm where the shot was given, headache,
fever, or tiredness. Some preteens and teens might faint
after getting the Tdap vaccine or any other shot. To help
avoid fainting, preteens and teens should sit or lie down
when they get a shot and then for about 15 minutes after
getting the shot. Serious side effects from reactions to the
Tdap shot are rare.
How can I get help paying for these vaccines?
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines
for children ages 18 years and younger, who are not insured,
Medicaid-eligible, American Indian or Alaska Native. You
can find out more about the VFC program by going online
to www.cdc.gov and typing VFC in the search box.
Where can I learn more?
Your child’s doctor or nurse can give you more information
about the Tdap vaccine and the other vaccines your child
may need. There is also information on CDC’s Vaccines for
Preteens and Teens website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/teens