Maryland child care programs are licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS). Immunization requirements for licensed childcare are governed by COMAR 13A.16.05.04 and closely mirror Maryland school immunization rules. The key document across all settings is Maryland Form 896 — the official Certificate of Immunization. Here is every requirement, every source.
Last verified: September 8, 2026
Maryland licensed childcare centers and family childcare homes must have a completed Maryland Department of Health Form 896 (Certificate of Immunization) on file for every enrolled child under COMAR 13A.16.05.04. Form 896 is signed by a licensed healthcare provider and documents every required vaccine with dates.
Required vaccines for Maryland childcare enrollment (age-appropriate):
Maryland's immunization information system is called ImmuNet. It records vaccines administered by participating Maryland providers and is used to generate official immunization records that satisfy childcare documentation requirements.
How to access ImmuNet records:
ImmuNet captures doses reported by Maryland providers only. If your family has moved from another state, prior doses may not be in ImmuNet — bring paper vaccination records to the pediatrician visit so they can be incorporated into the Form 896.
(Source: Maryland Department of Health, accessed Aug 30, 2026)
Maryland overnight camps are licensed by the Maryland Department of Health as residential recreational camps. Health form requirements for licensed camps include:
(Source: Maryland Department of Health; COMAR 13A.16.05.04, accessed Aug 30, 2026)
Before scheduling any medical appointments, ask the daycare or camp exactly which forms they need. Many Maryland centers require Form 896 specifically; others accept an ImmuNet printout. Camps have separate intake packets. Know what you need before the pediatrician visit.
Ask your pediatrician to retrieve your child's ImmuNet history. Bring any paper records from out-of-state providers. Your pediatrician will complete and sign Form 896 using the combined record.
Maryland childcare programs require Form 896 from day one. Keep your own copy — Form 896 is the same document used for school enrollment, sports physicals, and future care providers.
Maryland's Form 896 is needed for daycare, school, camp, and sports — it's the same underlying record, just reformatted each time. Family Stork keeps the complete health story organized so when any Maryland provider asks for the record, it's already there.
Give any Maryland clinic your child's private @families.familystork.com address. Pediatricians send records automatically; the timeline builds itself. $99/year, or about $10/month. Start your child's record free →
Maryland childcare immunization exemptions parallel school exemptions under Maryland Code Ann., Health-General §18-403. Medical exemptions require documentation from a licensed physician. Religious exemptions require a written statement from the parent. For exemption forms and the current process, contact the Maryland Department of Health or your childcare licensing office.
Give any Maryland clinic your child's private @familystork address. They send records; the timeline builds itself. Daycare, camp, school — one organized record.
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