Maine school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · ME
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)
Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A §6352-6356 and 10-144 CMR Chapter 261 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7), and Meningococcal (grade 7+, with booster at grade 12). Maine eliminated all non-medical exemptions in 2019 (PL 2019 c.154).
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
Maine's elimination of non-medical exemptions applies to all schools, including private. Private schools must follow the same strict medical-exemption-only policy.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Maine CDC immunization rules for child-care.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
Maine's postsecondary immunization law (20-A MRS §6358-6360) requires MMR (2 doses) and Tdap. Meningococcal (MenACWY) required for residential students under age 22.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
Maine requires healthcare workers to provide proof of immunity to MMR, varicella, and Hepatitis B. Influenza vaccination required or mask during flu season (Maine CDC rule).
📊 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 written statement from a licensed physician (MD/DO), nurse practitioner, or physician associate to the school. No specific form is required.
Renewal: Not stated in the official sources we read. Check each school year and confirm with the school or health department.
Approving authority: MD, DO, NP, or physician associate
🔗 Immunization Requirements for School Children FAQ (updated 7/13/2026) (no state form) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
Not AvailableFor religious beliefs
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
Maine does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A §6352-6356, immunization requirements apply to students 'attending schools,' but homeschool programs under §5001-A are not classified as schools. The Maine Department of Education homeschool guidance confirms that homeschool students are not subject to immunization requirements.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for homeschool students.
Exemptions
Not applicable — homeschool students are exempt from school immunization requirements. Note: Maine eliminated non-medical exemptions for school-attending students in 2019 (LD 798), but this only affects public and private school students, not homeschoolers.
Notes
Maine's 2019 elimination of non-medical exemptions attracted significant attention, but homeschool families were not affected. Homeschool students remain exempt from immunization requirements entirely.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
Maine 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 Maine?
Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A §6352-6356 and 10-144 CMR Chapter 261 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses or proof of disease), Tdap (grade 7), and Meningococcal (grade 7+, with booster at grade 12). Maine eliminated all non-medical exemptions in 2019 (PL 2019 c.154). Source: Maine Department of Health & Human Services.
▶ What vaccines does Maine require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A per Maine CDC immunization rules for child-care.
▶ Does Maine allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
Maine allows medical exemptions; religious and personal-belief exemptions are not available. As of September 2021, Maine eliminated new non-medical exemptions. Medical exemptions are accepted. A student who had an individualized education plan on September 1, 2021 and had elected a philosophical or religious exemption by that date may keep it if a provider statement is supplied.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in Maine?
Medical: Submit a written statement from a licensed physician (MD/DO), nurse practitioner, or physician associate to the school. No specific form is required. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in Maine?
Maine's postsecondary immunization law (20-A MRS §6358-6360) requires MMR (2 doses) and Tdap. Meningococcal (MenACWY) required for residential students under age 22.