Maine Post-Secondary School Immunization Compliance Requirement
Based on Maine law, the University of Maine System requires students to be immunized against certain diseases and submit official immunization records prior to attending classes, or participation in University activities.
Maine Law requires all degree-seeking students and full-time, non-degree students born after December 31, 1956 to provide proof of the following immunizations:
- One (1) dose of Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td or Tdap) received within the last ten (10) years.
- Two (2) doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) received after (not on) the first birthday. If measles immunization was done prior to 1968, students must provide proof it was done with a live virus.
Lab results of titer tests showing immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella are accepted as long as they are signed or stamped and clearly indicate immunity to all three diseases.
Immunization records must indicate the date of immunization and the immunization agent, and are REQUIRED to be signed or stamped by a physician, nurse, public health official, or school health provider who administered the immunization. Official school or military health records may also be accepted as proof of immunization, as long as they were based on certificates of immunization, and state, at a minimum, the month and year that the immunization was administered.
Upload your vaccination records to Point N Click
DO NOT SEND IMMUNIZATIONS TO USM DIRECTLY! Emailed and faxed records will not be accepted. Students are required to upload their immunizations to the Point N Click portal ONLY.
Exemption
Per Maine law, a student may only be exempted from the University’s Tdap and MMR immunization requirements if the student:
1. Provides a written statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant that, in that provider’s judgment, immunization against one or more of the diseases may be medically inadvisable. To download a copy of the UMS Immunization Waiver Form please see the Point N Click Portal.
2. Is enrolled in a fully remote distance learning program offered by the University and does not physically attend any classes or programs at a facility, campus, center or site of this University or any other school. If you are online only, please contact University Health Services at 207-780-5411 so that we may update your status in MaineStreet.
Need Help Locating your Immunization Records? Check with…
- Your pediatrician’s office. If you have relocated PCPs and did not request those records be transferred, this is likely where they’ll be.
- Your childhood immunization booklet. Some states issue small booklets when a child is born to log their childhood immunizations. Ask a parent or guardian if they still have it.
- Your former Elementary or High School or any previous institutions of higher learning. These vaccines are required to attend any education institution in Maine, as well as many other states. These places may still have a copy.
- Any state immunization tracking programs, such as ImmPact Maine. ImmPact is a shared electronic health record (EHR) that doctor’s offices can voluntarily participate in. They enter your immunizations into ImmPact and you can request them from ImmPact at any time.
If You Lack Required Immunization Record Documentation
- Set-up an appointment with your PCP, USM Health Services, or a walk-in care center to be re-vaccinated
- Set-up an appointment with your PCP, USM Health Services, or a walk-in care center to have your blood tested for immunity to all three MMR diseases (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella). Proof of immunity to one disease does not equal immunity to all three.
Notes: Records missing proper identification of the patient will not be accepted.
Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a hold being placed on your Student Account. This hold will prevent you from registering for courses.
Tetanus vaccines are only valid for ten years after administration. Students must be up-to-date with their tetanus vaccination during their studies at the University. If your tetanus vaccine expires, you will be required to resubmit a newly administered Td or Tdap vaccine or a hold will be placed on your account preventing you from registering for the following semesters courses.
Proof of Td/Tdap vaccine will still be required. Tetanus titers will not be accepted