More than 20,000 middle and high school students in the Baltimore region still need to be vaccinated for hepatitis B and chicken pox by Jan. 2 or face missing class until they get the shots.
Plus, new state regulations require that if they?re not vaccinated by Jan. 20, they will automatically be withdrawn from school.
Baltimore City schools spokeswoman Vanessa Pyatt said about 9,000 city students have yet to comply with the new rules.
Harford and Baltimore counties reported 4,000 and 5,500 students, respectively, who still have not received shots. Another 3,000 in Anne Arundel and about 1,600 in Howard counties are in the same situation.
According to the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, students in grades six through nine will not be allowed to attend school without proof of vaccination or a prior diagnosis of chicken pox.
Students who do not receive their shots by the time classes resume Jan. 2 will be allowed into school if they bring proof they will receive the necessary shots by the middle of the month.
Donna Heller, health services coordinator for Howard County schools, said the school system has been working since the spring to educate parents about the vaccination requirements, but said officials were still “very concerned about excluding people.”
The school system and the health department have scheduled free vaccination clinics over the holiday break and during January in an effort to make sure all students comply with the new state law.
Schools in Harford and Carroll counties have also scheduled clinics next month. Anne Arundel County schools have directed parents to the county health department?s three clinics, according to spokesman Bob Mosier. Parents can also take their children to their family pediatrician to receive the required vaccinations.
