Immunizations

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 You must be re-immunized if your tetanus is out of date.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 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,
• Hepatitis B vaccine (series of 3 doses given at appropriate intervals),
• Hepatitis 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.

REQUEST FOR MEDICAL EXEMPTION: Students may request an exemption from the immunization requirement for the following reason:

• A physician’s statement declaring that vaccination is medically inadvisable

A medical exemption may be granted upon receipt of a completed form, signed and certified by a licensed healthcare provider, who is not related to the submitter, and whose specialty is appropriate to the associated condition. The Office of Health Services will review all exemption requests, and approval is not guaranteed. After a request has been reviewed and processed, students will be notified via their MMA email address if an exemption has been granted.

Decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Individuals are permitted to reapply if new documentation and information should become available.

In order to submit a request, please:

• Complete the respective form(s) –
  • Student Request for Medical Exemption from Vaccination Form
• Have your licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant complete the provider section of the form,
• Submit the completed documents to the Health Services office in Curtis Hall or via fax at 207-326-2129

NOTE: Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed

Any student exempt from compliance will be required to leave MMA if there are one or more incubation periods/outbreaks of any disease on campus. Also, be aware that a student may not be permitted 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.