Massachusetts school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · MA
Last updated: 2026-11-02
💉 Vaccination Schedule
2 months
4 months
6 months
May be given at 6–18 months
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Hib Dose 3Depending on product
(opens in a new tab) 💉 PCV (Pneumococcal) Dose 3 (opens in a new tab) 💉 Rotavirus Dose 3Depending on product
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Hepatitis B Dose 36–18 months
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Influenza AnnualFrom 6 months annually
(opens in a new tab) 💉 COVID-19 Per current guidanceFrom 6 months
(opens in a new tab)12–15 months
15–18 months
4–6 years
11–12 years
🏫 School & Institutional Requirements
▶ 🏫 Public Schools (K–12)
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 76 §15 and 105 CMR 220.000 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), and Tdap (grade 7-12). Massachusetts requires annual influenza vaccination for all students in child-care, pre-school, K-12, and college (first state to do so, effective 2020).
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Massachusetts immunization law applies to all students regardless of school type. The influenza mandate applies to private school students as well.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, and annual influenza per 105 CMR 430.000 (child-care immunization requirements).
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Massachusetts law (105 CMR 220.600) requires all full-time college students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Tdap (within 10 years), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), and Meningococcal (for students ≤21).
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Massachusetts requires healthcare workers to receive annual influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. Hepatitis B per OSHA. MMR and varicella documentation widely required.
📊 Required Vaccines by Setting
| DTaP / Tdap | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hepatitis A | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hepatitis B | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hib | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Influenza | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Meningococcal | — | — | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| MMR | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| PCV (Pneumococcal) | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Polio (IPV) | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Varicella | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
📝 Vaccine Exemptions
🏥 Medical
AvailableFor medical contraindications
Documentation: Submit a physician's written certification that immunization is medically contraindicated to the school.
Renewal: Annually at the start of the school year.
Approving authority: Licensed physician
🔗 DPH Immunization Exemptions and VPD Exclusion in School Settings (no state form) → (opens in a new tab)🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian gives the school a written statement that immunization conflicts with their sincere religious beliefs. No notarization required.
Renewal: Should be renewed every year at the start of the school year, per Massachusetts DPH.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian
🔗 M.G.L. c.76 s.15 (no state form) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Massachusetts does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under MGL Chapter 76 §15, immunization requirements apply to students 'attending school,' and Massachusetts homeschool policy (Charles decision, Care and Protection of Charles, 399 Mass. 324, 1987) establishes homeschool as a distinct educational option that is not a 'school' under this statute.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for homeschool students. Massachusetts homeschool families are not required to submit medical records to the school district.
Exemptions
Not applicable — homeschool students are exempt from school immunization requirements.
Notes
Massachusetts homeschool law is based largely on case law (Charles decision) rather than statute, which is explicit that immunization statutes (§76-15) do not extend to homeschool programs. This is well-established in Massachusetts homeschool practice.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Massachusetts immunization data added to Parent Decision Center.
🔬 Related Vaccine Evidence Pages
Each card links to the full VaccineDataNavigator evidence page — including clinical trials, data, pharmacovigilance, ingredients, and references.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What vaccines are required for kindergarten and school in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 76 §15 and 105 CMR 220.000 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), and Tdap (grade 7-12). Massachusetts requires annual influenza vaccination for all students in child-care, pre-school, K-12, and college (first state to do so, effective 2020). Source: Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
▶ What vaccines does Massachusetts require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, and annual influenza per 105 CMR 430.000 (child-care immunization requirements).
▶ Does Massachusetts allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Massachusetts allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Massachusetts?
Medical: Submit a physician's written certification that immunization is medically contraindicated to the school. Religious: Parent/guardian gives the school a written statement that immunization conflicts with their sincere religious beliefs. No notarization required. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts law (105 CMR 220.600) requires all full-time college students to provide proof of MMR (2 doses), Tdap (within 10 years), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), and Meningococcal (for students ≤21).