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More than 2,300 students lacking immunizations
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Related Topics: Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County (Map, News) - More than 2,300 students are in jeopardy of being barred from Prince George’s County Public Schools today if they show up without up-to-date immunization records or proof of an appointment to get the vaccinations, school system spokeswoman Tanzi West said.
West said 2,317 students had not met the requirements as of Friday morning and would have been sent home had schools not been closed for a previously scheduled day off. By state law, students had until Sept. 20 to be in compliance or show proof of appointment, West said.
“We are hopeful that parents have heard us and will make every effort possible to make sure their child is immunized before Monday,” West said.
Most students who aren’t in compliance have failed to meet new hepatitis B and chickenpox requirements, according to West. New state policy requires all students in kindergarten through grade 10 to show proof of hepatitis B and chickenpox vaccinations. Prior to January 2007, only students through grade four needed proof of immunization.
The policy changes took effect in January. At one point last school year, more than 5,000 Prince George’s students were barred from school for failing to meet the new criteria.
During the past two and a half weeks, West said, the school system has been transporting students with parental permission to special immunization clinics where out-of-compliance students could receive their vaccinations.
“Letters have been sent home to the particular parents who are out of compliance on more than one occasion,” West said.
Parents of out-of-compliance students will be called to pick up their children if they come to school today, West said.
“Our goal is and always will be to increase student achievement,” West said. “So whenever we see something that precludes us from doing that, we are concerned.”
dfowler@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
9:42 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 24, 2007 re: "More than 2,300 students lacking immunizations"
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Examiner Reader said:
why are these parents not being told about religious and medical exemptions? As a survivor of a vaccine injury and as a person who works on behalf of the rights o children I am shocked how one sided this newspaper and the school system is being.
81 agree | 81 disagree
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