Massachusetts Law About Vaccination & Immunization
Best Bets
Vaccines and Immunizations, U. S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Contraindications and precautions, immunization schedules, common questions, vaccine information statements (benefits, risks and side effects) in English and Spanish, vaccines for travelers, and publications including Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, "the Pink Book," a comprehensive guide. Videos, webcasts, podcasts, links to additional resources.
Immunization program, Mass. Dept. of Health & Human Services. Mass. and U.S. guidelines and schedules for children and adults, current school immunization requirements, vaccine safety and management and more.
NY Times Immunizations In-Depth Report. Includes background, symptoms of severe reactions, discussion of each vaccination, references and links to relevant websites.
Travelers Health, Centers for Disease Control. All aspects of international travel health information including vaccinations (routine, recommended and required), precautions, diseases related to travel, and access to the Yellow Book, a comprehensive reference.
Massachusetts Laws
- MGL ch 76 sec. 15 Vaccination and immunization of students
- MGL ch 76 sec 15C Immunization of college health science students
- MGL ch 76 sec 15D Immunization of college students for meningococcal disease
- MGL ch 111 sec 6 Power to define diseases deemed dangerous to public health; control and prevention
- MGL ch 111 sec 24M Mass. Immunization Information System, a computerized registry
- MGL ch 111 sec. 181 Enforcement of vaccination of inhabitants of towns
- MGL ch 111 sec 182 Vaccination of inmates and employees of various institutions
- MGL ch 111 sec 183 Exemptions to sections 181 and 182
- MGL ch 112 sec. 12C Immunity of physician or nurse administering immunization from liability
Massachusetts Regulations
- 105 CMR 220 Immunization of students before admission to school
- 105 CMR 430.152 Required immunizations for campers and staff. Important: See Also Memo to Camp Directors recommending camps follow school requirements, above.
Federal Laws
- 42 USC 300aa-1 through 300aa-6 National Vaccine Program
- 42 USC 300aa-10 through 300aa-34 National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
Federal Regulations
42 CFR 100.1 through 100.3 Vaccine Injury Compensation
Selected Case Law
Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 US 11 (1905) Jacobson challenged mandatory smallpox vaccination as an unreasonable invasion of his liberty. The Mass. Supreme Court held that the vaccination program was constitutional. The U. S. Supreme Court affirmed, ruling that the program had a real or substantial relation to the protection of the public health and safety. Legal precedent for U.S. compulsory vaccination laws
Forms
Sharing your Immunization Information Objection (or withdrawal from objection) Form, Dept. of Public Health. To opt out of the computerized registry or to opt back in.
Adverse reaction reporting form, Federal Vaccine Adverse Reaction Reporting System. To report significant adverse events that occurred after vaccination of adult or child.
Other Web Resources
Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2011. "Overall, the committee concludes that few health problems are caused by or clearly associated with vaccines."
National Network for Immunization Information. Science-based information for the public and health professionals. Requirements by state, research and policy, pictures of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Print Sources
"School Vaccination Requirements: Historical, Social and Legal Perspectives," by James G. Hodge, Jr. and Lawrence O. Gostin, 90 Ky L J 831, 2001. Also available online to library card holders through Hein Online. Discusses the origins of vaccination, legislative and judicial responses to vaccination policy, and the arguments against it.
"The Religious and Philosophical Exemptions to State-Compelled Vaccination: Constitutional and Other Challenges," by Alicia Novak, 7 U Pa J Const L 1101, 2005. Available online to library card holders through Hein Online. Overview of the constitutional, public health, and implementation challenges of religious and philosophical exemptions.
"Jacobson v Massachusetts: Impact on Informed Consent and Vaccine Policy," by Kristine M. Severyn, 5 J Pharmacy & L 249, 1995. Available online to library card holders through Hein Online.
Organizations
Immunization Action Coalition. Updates from official sources, handouts in multiple languages, Ask the Experts, journal articles, digital images
Mass. Citizens for Vaccination Choice. Proponents of unbiased vaccine information and the right of parents and individuals to make their own decisions regarding vaccination.
New England Patients' Rights Group Inc. Support and advocacy group committed to educating the public about patients' rights and protection.