\u00bb <\/span><\/span>Maine immunization requirements<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00bb\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Maine CDC Immunization Program<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00bb\u00a0<\/span><\/span>CDC Vaccines and Immunizations<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00bb\u00a0<\/span><\/span>World Health Organization<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Social media downloads” title=”Social media downloads” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%365%%” icon_color=”#ffffff” use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#ff585b” use_circle_border=”on” circle_border_color=”#ffffff” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” _builder_version=”3.24.1″ header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”24px” body_text_align=”justify” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”20px|30px||30px” z_index_tablet=”500″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” 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header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″]<\/p>\n On MARCH 3,<\/strong> <\/span>Maine voters overwhelmingly rejected<\/a> Question 1, a “people’s veto” that would have repealed a new law that protects public health and safety by eliminating non-medical exemptions for school-required immunizations. At a time when our state\u2019s immunization rate is already dangerously low and the spread of some communicable diseases is on the rise, 74% of voters chose to protect this strong public health vaccine law. We created the guide below, in collaboration with Maine Families for Vaccines<\/a>, as a resource to help voters better understand the law and referendum and to assist you in navigating the heated and sometimes confusing conversations about vaccines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why do we need this new law?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Last year, in response to reports that Maine\u2019s whooping cough rate was <\/span>the worst in the nation<\/span><\/a> and that several <\/span>outbreaks<\/span><\/a> were reported in schools, the state legislature enacted <\/span>public law 154<\/span><\/a>, which alters a long-standing law by removing philosophical and religious exemptions to school-required immunizations. In a year when the number of measles cases in the US more than <\/span>tripled<\/span><\/a> the previous year\u2019s count, Maine\u2019s non-medical immunization opt-out rate was at an <\/span>all-time high<\/span><\/a>\u2013 more than <\/span>triple<\/span><\/a> the national average. More than 40 of our elementary schools had vaccination rates <\/span>below 85%<\/span><\/a>. Students in schools with low vaccination rates are especially vulnerable to disease outbreaks, because studies show that they are <\/span>more likely to occur<\/span><\/a> in communities with high numbers of unvaccinated people. Babies\u00a0who are too young to be vaccinated and those who are immune-compromised<\/a> and cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons are particularly vulnerable when vaccination rates drop below recommended levels.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What does the new law do?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Public law 154<\/a> removes philosophical and religious exemptions to the school-required immunizations. This law applies to all public and private day care and preschool facilities, K-12, and post-secondary schools. Medical exemptions are still allowed. Those seeking a medical exemption (including school employees) must provide a written statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, stating that a required immunization is medically inadvisable. It is up to the medical professional to determine the medical necessity for an exemption, not the state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Who determines which vaccines are required?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Commissioner of Maine\u2019s Department of Health & Human Services and the Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control determine which immunizations are required to attend Maine schools. Making additions to that list requires a lengthy process overseen by the Maine legislature. You can see the immunization requirements for children and adults <\/span>HERE<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Is the flu shot, rotavirus, or HPV vaccine required?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n No. The only vaccinations required for K-12<\/a> students are DTaP\/Tdap, Polio, MMR, Varicella, and MCV4 (meningococcal conjugate). The vaccinations required for babies and toddlers in daycare and preschool can be found here<\/a>. Children who do not attend daycare or preschool and go on to enter the school system in Kindergarten are not required to receive the vaccinations unique to the baby and toddler immunization requirements (Hib, Hep A, Hep B, and PVC13).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Can I spread out vaccinations?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Yes, as long as your child is up to date by the time they enter each of the three <\/span>milestone grades<\/span><\/a>: Kindergarten, 7th grade, and 12th grade. How you spread the immunizations out between those milestones is between you and your child\u2019s doctor. Children who enter the school system in kindergarten have about 5 years to acquire 4 required vaccines. The requirements for babies and toddlers in daycare and preschool can be found <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Who decides if my child qualifies for a medical exemption?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Your child\u2019s licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant determines if receiving an immunization would be inadvisable for your child. The determination is not limited by any state or federal criteria. A statement from the medical professional must be provided in writing to your child\u2019s school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When does the law go into effect?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The law goes into effect September 1, 2021. Students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) on or before Sep 1, 2021 that exempts them from immunizations for philosophical or religious reasons may continue to attend school as long as they provide a letter from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, which states that the parents or adult students have been informed of the risks of not being immunized.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What school can my child attend if I refuse to vaccinate?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Children who do not have the required immunizations at the start of the 2021-22 school year may be homeschooled. The law, as written, does not currently provide exemptions for accredited Maine online schools, but a legislative remedy has already been introduced and will soon be voted on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What about adults?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Adults who work in preschools must show that they are vaccinated or immune to the diseases listed in the immunization requirements. Most vaccines, when administered according to the appropriate schedule, will last a lifetime. The booster shots you received as a child help ensure immunity. For some vaccines, like pertussis, an <\/span>adult booster shot<\/span><\/a> is recommended. Medical exemptions are available to adults as well as students, and require a written statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What is the exact wording of Question 1?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Question 1 reads: Do you want to reject the new law that removes religious and philosophical exemptions to requiring immunization against certain communicable diseases for students to attend schools and colleges and for employees of nursery schools and health care facilities?<\/span><\/p>\n A “no” vote keeps Maine’s strong public health vaccine law in place. A “yes” vote repeals the law.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Vote NO on 1 to protect Maine’s children!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#00417f” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”3.24.1″ z_index_tablet=”500″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.24.1″ z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]<\/p>\n We understand that this topic has passionate defenders on both sides. Conversations can get heated. Many of the arguments coming from vaccine opponents tend to include discredited and debunked <\/span>conspiracy theories and false information<\/span><\/a>, and much of their concern is based on distrust and fear. Continuing to recycle false information can have serious consequences and put real lives at risk. It\u2019s critical that we all know how to reply with accuracy, support the science, and build trust with facts and evidence. Click on the toggles below for information that will help you respond to some of the most common concerns we hear in opposition to this law.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”\u201cMy rights are being violated.\u201d ” title=”IF YOU HEAR: \u201cMy rights are being violated.\u201d ” open_toggle_text_color=”#ff585b” open_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” closed_toggle_text_color=”#ff585b” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#6f7bc1″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”28px” _builder_version=”3.24.1″ title_text_color=”#ff585b” title_font=”|600|||||||” title_font_size=”18px” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#6f7bc1″ z_index_tablet=”500″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px”]<\/p>\n FACT CHECK:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>No current federal or constitutional law requires states to offer religious or personal belief exemptions from school immunization requirements. In fact, two U.S. Supreme Court decisions (read them <\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/FAcebook-banner.jpg?resize=229%2C87&ssl=1\")
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GET THE FACTS ON THE LAW<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\u00a0<\/h4>\n
LEARN HOW TO RESPOND TO VACCINE OPPONENTS<\/span><\/h2>\n