GREENWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Greenwich, CT
Vaccination Requirements and Exemptions
Measles Update – February 2015
All students enrolled in the Greenwich Public Schools are required to have the vaccinations
specified in Connecticut Regulation Section 10-204a - Required immunizations.
Sec. 10-204a. Required immunizations. Temporary waiver. (a) Each local or regional board of
education, or similar body governing a nonpublic school or schools, shall require each child to
be protected by adequate immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis,
measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenzae type B and any other vaccine required by the
schedule for active immunization adopted pursuant to section 19a-7f before being permitted to
enroll in any program operated by a public or nonpublic school under its jurisdiction.
School-Related Immunizations Immunization Of School Children Against Measles, Mumps,
Rubella, Poliomyelitis, Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib),
Hepatitis B, and Varicella10-204a-2a.
Adequate immunization
(a) Measles. An individual shall be considered adequately protected against measles if that
individual:
(1) is enrolled in preschool and was immunized by use of one (1) dose of live attenuated
measles vaccine on or after that individual's first birthday; or
(2) on or after August 1, 2011, is enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 and was
immunized against measles by use of two (2) doses of a live attenuated measles
vaccine given at least twenty-eight (28) days apart, the first on or after that
individual's first birthday; or
(3) has had protection against measles confirmed in writing by a physician, physician
assistant or advanced practice registered nurse based on specific blood testing by a
certified laboratory.
(b) Currently 2 doses of measles vaccine are required for students in grades kindergarten
through 12.
Parents may only request exemptions to the vaccinations, in writing, under the following
conditions:
 Contra indicated by a medical condition, certified by a medical provider;
 Contrary to religious beliefs;
 Proof from a medical provider that the student had a confirmed case of such disease.
 Laboratory confirmation of immunity to measles
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Exemption information
(a) Children with medical exemptions shall be permitted to attend a licensed childcare
program or school except in the case of an outbreak of vaccine-preventable disease. In
the event of an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease, all susceptible children will be
excluded from child care or school settings based on public health officials’
determination that the child care facility or school is a significant site for disease
exposure, transmission and spread into the community.
(b) Children without proof of immunity, including children with religious and medical
exemptions shall be excluded from these settings for this reason and will not be able to
return until:
1) the danger of the outbreak has passed as determined by public health officials;
2) the child becomes ill with the disease and completely recovers; or
3) the child is immunized.
Connecticut, unlike some of the states impacted by the most recent measles outbreak, does not
allow for an exemption based on “personal beliefs.” Currently 20 states allow for “personal
belief” exemptions and some, like California, are considering removing the “personal belief”
exemption.
Currently in the Greenwich Public Schools, approximately 0.8% of the students have not been
completely vaccinated against measles either for religious or medical reasons. If at any time
during the time school is in session, a case of any of measles is reported, all unvaccinated
students in that school are required to remain at home for 21 days. There have been no reported
cases of measles in the Greenwich Public Schools in the last 20 years.
The Greenwich Department of Health Immunization Program participates in the Vaccine for
Children Program, providing vaccinations, free of charge, to school aged children with few
exceptions. For those that are not free the fee is affordable. Importantly, MMR (Measles,
Mumps and Rubella) is one of the free vaccines.
The Immunization Clinic is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2:30 - 3:30 at the
Department of Health unless closed for a holiday or inclement weather. For more information,
call the Greenwich Department of Health at (203) 622-6495 or (203) 622-3782
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