Immunization

The Maine State Legislature has enacted a law which requires all degree and full-time non-degree students born after December 31, 1956 to provide proof of immunization or immunity to the following diseases:

• A tetanus/diphtheria vaccine must have been given within 10 years of enrollment to MMA. You must be re-immunized if your tetanus is out of date.
  
• Measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella must have been given after the student's first birthday with a live vaccine. If the vaccine was given prior to 1968, you must present laboratory results of your titer tests. A letter from your doctor is not acceptable. If immunization cannot be determined, re-immunization is required.
  
• Re-immunization is highly recommended if the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine was given before 1980.

Due to the potential for MMA students having to travel outside the United States for cruises/co-ops, and on the recommendations from the American College Health Association and the Center for Disease Control, Maine Maritime Academy also requires evidence of the following immunizations:

• 2nd dose measles administered between the ages of 2-4 years or later,
• Varicella (chickenpox) or history of having had the disease,
• Hepititis B vaccine (series of 3 doses given at appropriate intervals),
• Hepititis A vaccine (series of 2 doses given at appropriate intervals),
• Meningococcal vaccine
• Mantoux test for tuberculosis

To demonstrate adequate immunization against each disease, you must present a certificate of immunization from the physician, nurse, public health official, or school provider who administered the immunization. The proof must specify the immunizing agent and the date it was administered. School health records are usually accepted to meet these requirements. Students may be exempt from the immunization requirement for one of the following reasons:

• A physician's statement declaring that vaccination is medically inadvisable, or
  
• opposition to immunization based on sincerely held religious, moral, philosophical, and/or personal beliefs. A detailed written request must be submitted to the Director of Health Services. If the student is under 18 years of age, the documentation must be from a parent or guardian.

Any student exempt from compliance will be required to leave MMA if there is one or more incubation periods/outbreaks of any disease on campus. Also, be aware that a student may be denied to cruise/co-op if, in view of the attending medical professional, the student does not meet the immunization requirements or recommendations.

NOTE: Be advised that some companies providing cadet shipping/co-ops billets may require additional immunizations and/or benzene tests.

Questions concerning immunizations should be directed to MMA's Director of Health Services at (207)326-2295.