It helps prevent the spread of communicable diseases in the schools.
Baltimore, Md (KM) Frederick County Public Schools reopen for another academic year on Wednesday, August 21st; and the Maryland Department of Health reminds parents to make sure their children are vaccinated before they head off to school. “Vaccinations are important for students going back to school because they help protect students from serious diseases and prevent the spread of communicable diseases in schools,” says Miichal Thornton, Nurse Program Consultant with the Maryland Center of Immunization which is part of the Maryland Department of Health.
Some of those diseases include polio, mumps, rubella, measles or chickenpox. There are vaccination requirements for diphtheria, pertussis tetanus, and Hepatitis B. . “We know that schools are places where students are in close contact with each other, making it easy for diseases to spread,” Thornton says. “So having the required immunizations helps students stay healthy, and ready to learn.”
Children are required to have their vaccinations before school opens for the year. But Thornton says students who are not vaccinated by the time classes start can be admitted temporarily if they plan to get vaccinated very soon. “A student may be temporarily admitted or retained if they present evidence of an appointment for their first vaccine dose within in 20 days of the first day of school,” says Thornton.
“Temporary admission or retention for schools in Maryland may apply to students who are homeless, or whose parents or guardians cannot provide proof of immunization on day one,” she continues.
Parents can also request religious or medical exemptions to vaccinations for their children. “Parents are encouraged to provide appropriate documentation if either of those apply,” Thornton says. “We really depend and lean on schools to enforce the immunization requirements. So schools have the ability to exclude students on day one if the need presents.”
But there are no requirements for vaccines against COVID-19 or influenza for students attending school.
Thornton says most of the required vaccinations are available to children from their family physicians or a local primary care health centers. But for residents who don’t have a regular doctor, she says local health departments around Maryland can administer these vaccines as well as pharmacies.
She says any information about back-to-school immunizations can be found at the Maryland Department of Health Back-to-School website. (https://health.maryland.gov/qahealth/community-health/Pages/iztns.aspx)
By Kevin McManus