Influenza Vaccine Information

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Dear Parents/Guardians:

As you may be aware from our October district-wide communications and individual school nurse communications, beginning this 2020-2021 school year, the influenza vaccine is now required for all students.  The influenza vaccine reduces the risk of getting sick with influenza, reduces the severity of disease if one does get sick (including the risk of hospitalization) due to influenza, and helps to prevent the spread of influenza to others.  During the COVID-19 pandemic,  the influenza vaccine will be especially critical to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness on the population, protect vulnerable populations from severe illness, and decrease the overall burden on the healthcare system.  

The influenza vaccine is now a required vaccine of all students in Kindergarten through Grade 12, regardless of whether the school district is providing instruction in-person, implementing  a hybrid model, or implementing a remote model.  All students MUST receive the influenza vaccine for the current school year by February 28, 2021.  Any age-appropriate licensed influenza vaccine for the current school year satisfies the requirement.  This includes injectable and nasal spray vaccine options.  

Please provide documentation of receipt of the influenza flu vaccine to your school nurse as soon as your student receives the vaccine, but no later than February 28, 2021.  Documentation can be in the form of a hard copy, email of an immunization document, or a screenshot of the administration which lists, LOT number, expiration date and provider’s signature.  If your provider participates in the state registry, please send an email to notify the school nurse of the vaccination date. For more information, please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations. 

Please be aware that documentation of receipt of the influenza vaccine will be required in order to attend school unless documentation of a medical or religious exemption is provided.  

Medical Exemptions– Please provide a statement from a physician stating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for a student. 

Religious Exemptions– Please provide a statement from a student, or parent/guardian if the student is <18 years of age, stating that a vaccine is against sincerely held religious beliefs.

The  medical or religious exemption letters should be given to your child’s building based school nurse.

Students can receive an influenza vaccination from their primary care provider, or a local pharmacy such as CVS or Walgreens.  Below is a list of local pharmacies that are vaccine providers and a link to “Vaccine Finder” can here found here:  https://vaccinefinder.org/

If you have any questions please contact your school nurse or Jamy Gaynor, Director of Health Services at 781-786-5265.

Local Pharmacies

Walgreens – 

  1. 397 BOSTON POST RD WESTON, MA 02493   (781)-894-3785
  2. 20 WESTON ST  WALTHAM, MA 02453  (781)-891-9525
  3. 35 MAIN ST WAYLAND, MA 01778 (508)-655-8083

CVS –

  1. 12 HARVARD STREET WALTHAM, MA 02451 (781)-894-16002.
  2. 325 BOSTON POST ROAD WAYLAND, MA 01778 (508)-358-23813.
  3. 25 WASHINGTON STREET WELLESLEY, MA 02481 (781)-263-7234

OSCO Pharmacy –

1070 LEXINGTON STREET WALTHAM, MA 02452  (781)-899-3332

Doctor’s Express –

1030 MAIN STREET WALTHAM, MA 02451 (781)-894-6900