New Student Registration Health Requirements
To enroll in Taunton Public Schools, all new students must meet Massachusetts school health requirements.
Caregivers must provide up-to-date health records at registration. This includes immunization records and any required health screenings. These requirements are set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Students must be vaccinated against certain diseases before starting school, unless a medical or religious exemption is submitted.
School nurses review all health records. If anything is missing, caregivers will be contacted with the next steps.
Health requirements vary by grade level. Use the tabs below to find the information for your student.
For full details, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s school immunization page.
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PreK Required Vaccinations Vaccination
Required Dosage
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
1-4 doses; the number of doses is determined by the vaccine product and the age at which the series begins
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis)
4 doses
Polio
3 doses
Hepatitis B
3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable
MMR
1 dose; must be given on or after the first birthday; laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable
Varicella (Chickenpox)
1 dose; must be given on or after the first birthday; a reliable history of chickenpox* or laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable
*A reliable history of chickenpox includes a diagnosis of chickenpox or interpretation of parent/guardian description of chickenpox by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or designee.
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- Current physical
- Vision screening with stereopsis
- Lead screening
- Up-to-date immunizations (see table)
Kindergarten Required Vaccinations Vaccination Dosage DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis) 5 doses; 4 doses are acceptable if the fourth dose is given on or after the fourth birthday. DT is only acceptable with a letter stating a medical contraindication to DTaP Polio 4 doses; the fourth dose must be given on or after the fourth birthday and at least six months after the previous dose; otherwise, a fifth dose is required. 3 doses are acceptable if the third dose is given on or after the fourth birthday and at least six months after the previous dose Hepatitis B 3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable MMR 2 doses; first dose must be given after the first birthday, and second dose must be given at least 28 days after the first dose; laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable Varicella (Chickenpox) 2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the first birthday, and second dose must be given at least 28 days after the first dose; a reliable history of chickenpox* or laboratory evidence is acceptable *A reliable history of chickenpox includes a diagnosis of chickenpox or interpretation of parent/guardian description of chickenpox by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or designee.
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- Current physical
- Up-to-date immunizations (see table)
Grades 1-6 Required Vaccinations Vaccination Dosage DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis) 5 doses; 4 doses are acceptable if the fourth dose is given on or after the fourth birthday. DT is only acceptable with a letter stating a medical contraindication to DTaP Polio 4 doses; the fourth dose must be given on or after the fourth birthday and at least six months after the previous dose; otherwise, a fifth dose is required. 3 doses are acceptable if the third dose is given on or after the fourth birthday and at least six months after the previous dose Hepatitis B 3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable MMR 2 doses; first dose must be given after the first birthday, and second dose must be given at least 28 days after the first dose; laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable Varicella (Chickenpox) 2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the first birthday, and second dose must be given at least 28 days after the first dose; a reliable history of chickenpox* or laboratory evidence is acceptable *A reliable history of chickenpox includes a diagnosis of chickenpox or interpretation of parent/guardian description of chickenpox by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or designee.
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- Current physical exam
- Up-to-date immunizations (see table)
Grades 7-12 Required Vaccinations Vaccination Dosage Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis booster) 1 dose; and history of DTaP primary series or age-appropriate catch-up vaccination. Tdap given at age 7 years or older may be counted, but a dose at ages 11 to 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 or more since the last Tdap dose. Polio 4 doses; the fourth dose must be given on or after the fourth birthday and at least six months after the previous dose; otherwise, a fifth dose is required. 3 doses are acceptable if the third dose is given on or after the fourth birthday and at least six months after the previous dose Hepatitis B 3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable; 2 doses of Heplisav-B given on or after 18 years of age are acceptable MMR 2 doses; first dose must be given after the first birthday, and second dose must be given at least 28 days after the first dose; laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable Varicella (Chickenpox) 2 doses; first dose must be given on or after the first birthday, and second dose must be given at least 28 days after the first dose; a reliable history of chickenpox* or laboratory evidence is acceptable Meningococcal (meningitidis)
Grade 7–101 dose; this dose must be given on or after the 10th birthday. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine, MenACWY (formerly MCV4) and MenABCWY, fulfill this requirement; monovalent meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine is not required and does not meet this requirement Meningococcal
Grade 11–12**2 doses; second dose MenACWY (formerly MCV4) must be given on or
after the 16th birthday and at least8 weeks after the previous dose; 1 dose is
acceptable if it was given on or after the 16th birthday. Meningococcal
conjugate vaccine, MenACWY (MCV4) and MenABCWY, fulfill this
requirement; monovalent meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine is not
required and does not meet this requirement*A reliable history of chickenpox includes a diagnosis of chickenpox or interpretation of parent/guardian description of chickenpox by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or designee.
** Students who are 15 years old in Grade 11 are in compliance until they turn 16 years old