Massachusetts State Law requires registered full-time, part-time, full-time health science, and part-time visa-carrying students to show proof of required immunizations. All information must be submitted by July 1 for Fall Semester and January 1 for Spring Semester.
Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements 2023 - 2024
Requirements apply to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students under 30 years of age and all full and part-time health science students. This includes full or part-time students attending any postsecondary institution while on a student or other visa, including foreign exchange students attending or visiting classes as part of an academic visitation or exchange program. Meningococcal requirements apply to the group specified in the table below.
| Immunization | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) | 1 dose; and history of a DTaP primary series or age appropriate catch-up vaccination. Tdap given at ≥7 years may be counted, but a dose at age 11-12 is recommended if Tdap was given earlier as part of a catch-up schedule. Td or Tdap should be given if it has been ≥10 years since Tdap. |
| Hepatitis B series | 3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable; 2 doses of Heplisav-B given on or after 18 years of age are acceptable |
| MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) | 2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and second dose must be given ≥28 days after first dose; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable. Birth in the U.S. before 1957 acceptable only for non-health science students |
| Varicella | 2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and second dose must be given ≥28 days after first dose; a reliable history of chickenpox* or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable. Birth in the U.S. before 1980 acceptable only for non-health science students |
| Meningococcal conjugate quadrivalent (A,C,Y,W-135) (Menactra, Menveo or Nimenrix only) | 1 dose; 1 dose MenACWY (formerly MCV4) required for all full-time students 21 years of age or younger. The dose of MenACWY vaccine must have been received on or after the student’s 16th birthday. Doses received at younger ages do not count towards this requirement. Students may decline MenACWY vaccine after they have read and signed the MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form provided by their institution. Meningococcal B vaccine is not required and does not meet this requirement |