Immunizations
Keeping every Chelsea Public Schools student healthy and protected
Why Vaccines Matter
"Vaccines are one of the greatest public health interventions of the 20th century, second only to clean water. Among children born during 1994–2013, vaccination will prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes. We all need vaccines throughout our lives to help protect against serious diseases."
— Massachusetts Department of Public Health
All immunizations must be up to date for your child to attend school. Immunizations will be reviewed by the school nurse annually and you will be notified via letter or phone call of doses due. Students may be excluded for non-compliance unless there is a medical exemption provided by your health care provider.
Students may receive immunizations through their health care provider or be referred to a local health care center (MGH Chelsea–EBNHC).
All new students to Chelsea Public Schools need to register with the Parent Information Center and submit a copy of updated immunizations and a current physical for the requirements that differ per grade. If the child is a current student, please provide the school nurse with appropriate documents.
Important — Student Compliance
Students may be excluded from school for non-compliance with immunization requirements unless a medical exemption is provided by a licensed health care provider. Please ensure your child's records are submitted to the school nurse promptly.
Immunization Requirements by Grade
Preschool
- Hepatitis B — 3 doses
- DTaP / DTP / DT — ≥4 doses
- Polio — ≥3 doses
- Hib — 1–4 doses
- MMR — 1 dose
- Varicella — 1 dose (or proof of disease)
Kindergarten
- Hepatitis B — 3 doses
- DTaP / DTP / DT — 5 doses
- Polio — 4 doses
- MMR — 2 doses
- Varicella — 2 doses (or proof of disease)
- Lead Screening
- Vision Screening — Within the previous 12 months
Grades 1–4
- Hepatitis B — 3 doses
- DTaP / DTP / DT — ≥4 doses (or ≥3 doses of TD)
- Polio — ≥3 doses
- MMR — 2 doses
- Varicella — 2 doses (or proof of disease)
- Lead Screening
4th Grade: Updated Physical required.
Grades 5–6
- Hepatitis B — 3 doses
- DTaP / DTP / DT — ≥4 doses (or ≥3 doses of TD)
- Polio — ≥3 doses
- MMR — 2 doses
- Varicella — 2 doses (or proof of disease)
Grades 7–12
- Hepatitis B — 3 doses
- DTaP / DTP / DT — ≥4 doses (or ≥3 doses of TD)
- Tdap — 1 dose (7th grade)
- Polio — ≥3 doses
- MMR — 2 doses
- Varicella — 2 doses (or proof of disease)
- Meningococcal — 1–2 doses (7th & 11th grade)
Updated Physical required in 7th and 9th grade.
Where to Get Immunizations
Students may receive immunizations through their personal health care provider or be referred to a local health care center:
-
MGH Chelsea – EBNHC
Local health care center — accepts referrals from school nurses -
Parent Information Center
New students must register and submit immunization records here