Code of Massachusetts Regulations
105 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Title 105 CMR 220.000 - Immunization of Students Before Admission to School
Section 220.700 - Meningococcal Vaccine Requirement for Students at Secondary and Postsecondary Schools that Provide or License Housing

Universal Citation: 105 MA Code of Regs 105.220

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(A) No newly enrolled full-time student attending a secondary school or postsecondary institution who will be living in a dormitory or comparable congregate living arrangement licensed or approved by the secondary school or postsecondary institution may be registered without a certificate of immunization documenting that the student has received the meningococcal vaccine. No student shall begin classes without this certificate, except as provided in 105 CMR 220.700(C).

(B) Each secondary school and postsecondary institution, at the time of initial enrollment, shall provide each newly enrolled full-time student who will be living in a dormitory or comparable congregate living arrangement licensed or approved by that secondary school or postsecondary institution with detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability and effectiveness of vaccines against the disease, if he or she is 18 years of age or older, or to the student's parents or guardian, if the student is a minor.

(C) A student may register and begin classes without a certificate of immunization against meningococcal disease in the following situations:

(1) the student, or the student's parent or guardian if the student is a minor, provides written certification from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who has personally examined the student that the student's health would be endangered by the immunization;

(2) the student, or the student's parent or guardian if the student is a minor, states in writing, in the absence of an emergency or disease epidemic, that immunization would violate his or her religious beliefs; or

(3) the student, or the student's parent or guardian if the student is a minor, signs a waiver approved by the Department stating that the student has received information about the risks and dangers of meningococcal disease, has reviewed the information provided and has elected to decline the vaccine.

(D) Whenever possible, the student must obtain the required immunization prior to registration. However, a student subject to 105 CMR 220.700 may be registered without a certificate of immunization, provided that the student supplies a certificate of immunization within 30 days of registration and provided, further, that the secondary school or postsecondary institution has policies and procedures for ascertaining which students have failed to provide the required certification within 30 days and for taking appropriate follow up action to ensure compliance with 105 CMR 220.700.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.