Required Vaccination Information for MCPS

The Annotated Code of Maryland (10.06.04.03) requires all Maryland students new to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and those entering Grade 7 and Grade 9 provide documentation of required age-appropriate vaccinations or a medical or religious exemption. This documentation is required within 20 calendar days from their date of admission. Principals will receive a list of students who have not provided documentation by the deadline from School Health Services (SHS) staff. Students on this list must be excluded from school until such documentation is provided.

Required vaccinations by the Maryland Health Department

Important Dates

  • Tuesday, August 26, 2025: Students must provide documentation of required vaccinations or a permitted exemption as explained above by the first day of school or their date of admission. Students who have not received their vaccinations may enter school if they provide evidence of an appointment to be vaccinated by Monday, September 15, 2025, (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission).
  • Monday, September 15, 2025: Students who have not provided documentation of the required vaccinations by this date (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission) must be excluded from school until such documentation is provided.

 

Department of Heath and Human Services Immunization Program

Free Back to School (BTS) Vaccines
We will offer free Back to School vaccines for all Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) and private school students starting July 2025 through September 2025.
For more information and resources regarding the new school vaccination requirements, please visit the Maryland Center for Immunization’s Back-to-School webpage.

Who is eligible for BTS
You are a student – kindergarten through high school, and you are missing the required and recommended vaccines.
Children ages 6 months and older may receive the Flu vaccine.

Eligible individuals can receive these free BTS vaccines

  • Tdap (catch-up) - age 7 years and older; routine Tdap - ages 11 to 12 years
  • Meningococcal ACWY - age 11 years and older; Meningococcal B - age 16 years and older
  • Human papillomavirus [HPV] - age 9 years and older
  • Varicella [chicken pox] - age 1 year and older
  • Flu (available in September) - age 6 months and older

BTS Schedules and Clinic Locations
Department of Health and Human Services
Dennis Ave Health Center
2000 Dennis Ave, Suite 1400
Silver Spring MD 20902

To make an appointment at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, call 240-777-1050, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are preferred but are not required.

Cider Mill Apartments
Healthy Start Back-to-School & Health Fair Event
18205 Lost Knife Cir
Gaithersburg, MD 20886


Westfield Wheaton Mall
MCPS Back to School Event
11160 Veirs Mill Rd
Wheaton, MD 20902


Other County clinics
You also call the other DHHS County clinics for available dates and times:
Germantown Health Center - 240-777-3380
Silver Spring Health Center - 240-777-3160
School Health Services Immunization Center - 240-740-4430

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DHHS offers childhood immunizations throughout the year by appointment only for eligible children
through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
To be eligible for the VFC program, children must be 18 years and younger and meet at least one of the
following:

  • Does not have health insurance.
  • Has Medical Assistance.
  • Has health insurance that does not cover vaccines.
  • Is Alaskan Native or American Indian.

Immunizations are available at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, the Germantown Health Center, Silver
Spring Health Center, and the School Health Services Immunization Center at the Rocking Horse Road
Center.
Call the specific location to make an appointment:
Dennis Avenue Health Center - 240-777-1050
Germantown Health Center - 240-777-3380
Silver Spring Health Center - 240-777-3160
School Health Services Immunization Center - 240-740-4430
For information on vaccines and immunizations, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Documents To Bring
If the child is covered by Medical Assistance, bring the child's Medical Assistance card.


Eligibility Requirements

  • Children age 18 years or younger must meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Child does not have health insurance.
  • Child is covered by Medical Assistance.
  • Child has health insurance that doesn’t cover vaccines.
  • Child is Alaskan native or American Indian.

Children with private health insurance should schedule immunization appointments with their primary
health care provider.

Fees and Payments
There is a vaccine administration fee, based on a sliding fee scale set by the State of Maryland Department of
Health and based on family size and income. A child will not be denied a vaccination based on inability to pay
the administration fee.


FAQ's
1. How do I get a copy of my child’s immunization record?
Ask your school nurse for a copy of your child's immunization record. Montgomery County Public Schools
(MCPS) maintains an immunization record for each enrolled student.
Families can also contact their healthcare providers, local health departments, or complete an ImmuNet data
request for immunization records.
2. Where should I call for an appointment for adult vaccinations?
Currently, we do not provide adult vaccinations, but we can provide information on local community clinics
that offer vaccinations for a fee. Call 311 for more information.

For more information, please visit: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/PHS/PHSImmunizations-p275.html