Requirements:
Maryland State Law requires all students to receive age-appropriate immunizations. The school must have proof of immunizations before allowing a student to begin school. These immunizations can be given at your health care provider's office, a pharmacy, minute clinic, some urgent care clinics, or at the Carroll County Health Department.
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IMMUNIZATION CERTIFICATE
(Please click on above link to access Certificate)
Clinics
Immunization Clinics are held at the Carroll County Health Department. Call CCHD at (410) 876-4442 to verify clinic dates/hours and to make an appointment or email cchdchild.immune@maryland.gov
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. I am coming from out of state, will the immunization record from my state allow my child to start school?
Immunization requirements sometimes vary from state to state, and your child must meet Maryland requirements to attend Carroll County Public Schools. The school nurse will review your child’s immunization record for compliance. Your child may start school if they have received the required vaccines. If your child does not meet Maryland requirements, you will be given a time frame to meet Maryland requirement (see question 3.)
2. What if my child received their first MMR or Varicella prior to their first birthday?
As of November 24, 2005, Code of Maryland Annotated Regulation changed to include the following "....A preschool or school, public or private, may count as valid, vaccine doses administered less than or equal to 4 days before the minimum interval or age." this means that your child is in compliance with the state regulation if he/she received either the first MMR or Varicella no earlier than 4 days before their first birthday. If it was administered earlier than that they must receive another vaccination or have a titer drawn that indicates they have immunity to the disease. If the blood titer does not show immunity, the child must then still receive another vaccination.
3. What if my child has had some immunizations, but not all, or I can't find my child's vaccination record? Can they start school?
In order to start school, you must inform the school nurse of an appointment to receive vaccinations within 20 calendar days of the start of school (or the earliest date the vaccine may be given). You must present proof of the vaccinations to the school nurse the next school day after the appointment, or your child will be excluded from school until the school nurse has verification of the vaccinations. You can also obtain your child’s immunization record by registering for Maryland's secure vaccination database, ImmuNet by going to MyIRMobile - MyIR Mobile.
4. What if my doctor is out of the vaccine?
If your health care provider is out of the vaccine, and your child is Vaccine for Children (VFC) eligible, you may call the Carroll County Health Department to schedule an appointment in their immunization clinic. Please call the health department at (410)-876-4442 or email cchdchild.immune@maryland.gov for dates and times. Also, if you have private insurance or state insurance, you may check with your local pharmacy to see about receiving your childhood vaccination there.
5. Are foreign exchange students required to have proof of immunizations?
Foreign exchange students are required to meet Maryland Immunization requirements.
6. What if my child has a medical condition which prevents him/her from receiving vaccinations?
If your child has a temporary or permanent condition which prevents him/her from receiving vaccinations, your health care provider must complete the Medical Contraindication portion of the Maryland Department of Health Immunization Certificate (MDH Form 896). The health care provider must indicate if the condition is temporary or permanent. If the condition is temporary, the health care provider must include when the child will be able to receive the vaccination.
7. Immunizations violate our religious beliefs, can my child attend school?
COMAR 10.06.04, Required Immunizations for School Entry, allows parents to claim exemption to immunizing their child on religious grounds. You must complete the religious objection portion of the Maryland Department of Health Immunization Certificate (MDH Form 896). This exemption does not apply during an emergency or epidemic. If your child is not immunized, they may be excluded from school if there is an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease. This decision will be made by the County Health Officer.
