Maryland school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · MD
Last updated: 2026-11-01
💉 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)
COMAR 10.06.04 requires DTaP (4 doses if 4th after age 4, otherwise 5), Polio (4 doses, last after age 4), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), and Tdap (grade 7). Meningococcal (MenACWY) required at grade 7 with booster at grade 12.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Maryland's immunization requirements apply equally to public and private (nonpublic) schools under COMAR 10.06.04.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV (age-appropriate), MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per COMAR child-care immunization regulations.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Maryland requires all college and university students to show proof of MMR (2 doses). Students residing in on-campus housing must have meningococcal vaccination.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Maryland requires healthcare facilities to offer annual influenza vaccination. Workers who decline must wear a mask during influenza season. Hepatitis B per OSHA standard.
📊 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 Maryland Form 896 signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school. Sources differ on whether other clinicians may sign, so a licensed physician's signature is the safest choice. Confirm with your local health department before using another clinician.
Renewal: As indicated by physician.
Approving authority: Licensed physician (MD or DO); confirm before using another clinician
🔗 Maryland Immunization Certificate (MDH Form 896), Medical Contraindication section → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian signs the religious objection section of Maryland Department of Health Form 896 and submits it to the school. The form is posted on the Maryland Department of Health website.
Renewal: Not stated in the official sources we read. Check each school year and confirm with the school or health department.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian
🔗 Maryland Immunization Certificate (MDH Form 896), Religious Objection section → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Maryland does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under COMAR 10.06.04, immunization requirements apply to students 'enrolled in preschool or school programs,' and Maryland's homeschool regulation (COMAR 13A.10.01) does not define homeschool programs as 'schools' for immunization purposes.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for homeschool students. The homeschool portfolio review process (mandatory in Maryland) does not include immunization review.
Exemptions
Not applicable — homeschool students are exempt from school immunization requirements.
Notes
Maryland is a high-regulation homeschool state for other matters (portfolio reviews, subject requirements) but does not regulate immunization for homeschool students.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Maryland 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 Maryland?
COMAR 10.06.04 requires DTaP (4 doses if 4th after age 4, otherwise 5), Polio (4 doses, last after age 4), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), and Tdap (grade 7). Meningococcal (MenACWY) required at grade 7 with booster at grade 12. Source: Maryland Department of Health.
▶ What vaccines does Maryland require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV (age-appropriate), MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per COMAR child-care immunization regulations.
▶ Does Maryland allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Maryland allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. The religious objection is a section of Maryland Department of Health Form 896.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Maryland?
Medical: Submit Maryland Form 896 signed by a licensed physician (MD/DO) to the school. Sources differ on whether other clinicians may sign, so a licensed physician's signature is the safest choice. Confirm with your local health department before using another clinician. Religious: Parent/guardian signs the religious objection section of Maryland Department of Health Form 896 and submits it to the school. The form is posted on the Maryland Department of Health website. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Maryland?
Maryland requires all college and university students to show proof of MMR (2 doses). Students residing in on-campus housing must have meningococcal vaccination.