Immunization and Physical Examination Requirements
The following immunizations are REQUIRED by the Department of Public Health (DPH) in order for a child to enter kindergarten in the state of Massachusetts:
DTaP: 5 doses unless the 4th dose was given on or after the child's 4th birthday.
Polio: 4 doses unless the 3rd dose was given on or after their 4th birthday, and the 3rd dose was given >/= 6 months following the previous dose, in which case on 3 doses are needed.
Hepatitis B: 3 doses
MMR: 2 doses
Varicella: 2 doses
A copy of your child's immunization form is also required for all children who transfer into the school system at any time. Children in grades 1st-4th only require the above referenced vaccines. Different vaccine requirements exist for Middle and High School students (by different, I mean in addition to the ones listed above). If you have chosen not to vaccinate your child/children due to religious beliefs, you will need to present a letter outlining this information upon entry to the school. Philosophical exemptions are not recognized in Massachusetts. If your child cannot have a particular vaccine due to it being medically contraindicated, a letter from their physician stating the contraindication is required.
In addition to immunizations, all children entering kindergarten, children who are new to the school system (e.g. transferred in), and/or those entering the 4th grade, need to present a current physical examination form from their pediatrician's office prior to their start of school. This also holds true for any child who is new to the Foxborough school system. A current physical exam is one that was completed within a year of the student's start date (Example: If your child is starting school on 3/15/20. Their last physical needs to fall within the time frame of 3/15/19 and 3/15/20. If you don't have a current physical, you have two weeks from the start of school to have a physician complete a new physical exam. A copy of the exam form needs to be handed into the school nurse.