Short answer: no. The flu shot is not required to attend school in Maryland, and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) does not require it for any grade, from pre-K through 12th grade. Influenza vaccine is not on Maryland’s list of school-required immunizations (Maryland Department of Health, 2025–2026 requirements).
That said, “not required” and “not recommended” are different things. Below is what Maryland actually requires, how child care differs, and how to get your child a flu shot, often for free, in Montgomery County.
What Maryland law requires for school
School vaccine rules in Maryland are set by the state, not by individual districts, under COMAR 10.06.04.03. MCPS, like every Maryland school system, enforces that state list. The flu vaccine is not on it.
| Vaccine | Required in Maryland schools? | When it’s checked |
|---|---|---|
| DTaP / Tdap (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) | Yes | School entry; Tdap at Grade 7 |
| Polio | Yes | School entry |
| MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) | Yes | School entry |
| Varicella (chickenpox) | Yes | School entry |
| Hepatitis B | Yes | School entry |
| Meningococcal (MenACWY) | Yes | Grade 7, booster at Grade 12 |
| Hib and pneumococcal (PCV) | Yes, preschool ages only | Pre-K and child care |
| Influenza (flu) | No | Not required at any grade |
| COVID-19 | No | Not required at any grade |
Requirements summarized from the Maryland Department of Health chart for the 2025–2026 school year. Always confirm current dose counts with your school nurse or pediatrician.
How MCPS checks vaccines
MCPS requires students new to the school system and students entering Grades 7 and 9 to submit proof of the state-required vaccines (on the Maryland Immunization Certificate, form MDH 896) or a valid medical or religious exemption. Students without documentation can be temporarily admitted for up to 20 calendar days if they have an appointment to catch up (MCPS required vaccination information). None of this paperwork involves the flu shot.
If you are also scheduling a school or sports physical, our school and camp physicals checklist for Montgomery County walks through every form you need.
What about daycare and pre-K?
Maryland also has no statewide flu-vaccine requirement for licensed child care or pre-K. According to Immunize.org’s 2026 state survey, Maryland is not among the states that mandate flu shots for young children in child care (Immunize.org). That is different from nearby New Jersey and from Connecticut, which do require annual flu vaccination for children in licensed child care.
One caveat: private schools, preschools, and child care centers can set their own stricter policies. If your child attends a private program in Bethesda, Potomac, or elsewhere, check the enrollment packet.
Why pediatricians still recommend a yearly flu shot
Even though it’s optional for school, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. The reasons are practical:
- Schools spread flu efficiently. Children are among the main spreaders of flu in a community, and a single sick classmate can lead to days of missed school and missed work for parents.
- Young children are at higher risk. Children under 5, and especially under 2, are more likely to be hospitalized with flu complications such as pneumonia and dehydration.
- Chronic conditions raise the stakes. Kids with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or neurologic conditions have a higher risk of severe flu.
- It protects the household. Vaccinating school-age kids helps shield infants too young to be vaccinated and grandparents at higher risk.
Timing: aim to vaccinate by the end of October, before flu typically starts circulating widely in Maryland. Children 6 months through 8 years getting a flu vaccine for the first time need two doses at least four weeks apart, so start early. The nasal spray version (FluMist) is an option for many healthy children 2 and older; ask your pediatrician whether it fits your child.
Talk with your child’s doctor about any allergies, past reactions, or medical conditions before vaccination.
Where to get a flu shot in Montgomery County
- Your pediatrician or family doctor. Most practices run fall flu clinics, and insurance typically covers the vaccine with no copay. Need a doctor? See our guide to choosing a pediatrician in Montgomery County.
- School-based flu clinics. Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services usually partners with MCPS to offer free flu shots at schools each fall, with registration required. Watch your school’s newsletter for dates.
- County health clinics. Montgomery County offers flu vaccines for children 6 months and older at county clinics; call 311 or check the county’s flu page for current locations.
- Pharmacies. Maryland pharmacists can vaccinate many children, but age limits vary by pharmacy, so call ahead for kids under 9.
If your child is already sick, our guide to same-day sick visits vs. urgent care in Bethesda explains where to go.
The bottom line
- Maryland schools: flu shot not required.
- MCPS: flu shot not required for any grade.
- Maryland child care and pre-K: flu shot not required statewide (private programs may differ).
- Doctors’ recommendation: a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by late October.
This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. Vaccine requirements can change; confirm current rules with the Maryland Department of Health, your school nurse, or your child’s pediatrician.