Students at Winston Churchill High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School and Herbert Hoover Middle School who haven't completed their required vaccinations could be turned away on the first day of school in August. The three schools serve the Potomac area.
Montgomery County Public Schools posted a reminder last Tuesday, warning families that Maryland law bars unvaccinated students from attending public school unless they hold an approved medical or religious exemption. Students who don't meet the state's immunization requirements "may not be allowed to attend school until they have received the required vaccines or submitted the appropriate documentation," the district said.
Rising seventh and ninth graders face the tightest deadline. Under Maryland's immunization code (COMAR 10.06.04.03, revised June 23, 2026), students new to MCPS and those entering grade 7 or grade 9 must provide vaccination documentation within 20 calendar days of admission or face exclusion from class.
What's required
Maryland's requirements differ by grade level. For students in kindergarten through grade 6, the state mandates three or four doses of DTaP (depending on age at prior doses), three doses of polio vaccine, two doses each of MMR and varicella, and three doses of hepatitis B, according to the Maryland Department of Health immunization chart.
Students in grades 7 through 12 need all of the above plus one dose of Tdap and one dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4).
Free clinics accepting appointments
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is running free back-to-school vaccination clinics at least through August. The vaccines are available to all MCPS students regardless of insurance status and include Tdap, MCV4, meningococcal B, varicella, HPV, COVID-19 and flu (when available), according to the DHHS website. Montgomery County launched the free clinic program in March to help families meet school requirements.
Four clinic locations are accepting appointments:
- 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, Rockville: 240-740-4430
Families should call for current hours and availability.
How to check your child's record
Families can verify their child's immunization status three ways: by asking their school nurse (MCPS keeps a record for each enrolled student), by contacting their health care provider, or by using Maryland's MyIRMobile online portal.
MCPS orientation day is Monday, Aug. 24, with the first full day of classes on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
