Fort Worth students sent home for incomplete vaccination records

by PegNews wire

Some Fort Worth ISD students were sent home today because they have not complied with the state-imposed mandate of having the required disease inoculations.

On March 5, 2009, the executive commissioner on Health and Human Services approved several revisions to the “Immunization Requirements for Children and Students in Texas Public and Private Schools” [Title 25, Health Services, Chapter 97, Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 97.61 and 97.63-97.77]. The changes included several additional vaccination requirements impacting Fort Worth ISD students.

In April, 2009, Fort Worth ISD began notifying parents of the new immunization requirements through letters sent home with students, news releases to local media, and banners and highlighted information on the district’s website. Students who were not in compliance on the first day of school in August were identified and their parents were notified of the deadline for compliance.

The deadline for parents to provide an updated vaccination record was extended by from September 1, 2009 until today, October 1, 2009. Per the Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Division, all students without current vaccination records by today’s deadline are being sent home until they receive the necessary vaccinations and provide the school district with documentation.

Parents are being called to school to retrieve their children. If no one is available to receive the child, the child will be held until dismissal and sent home with a letter explaining the requirements for readmission.

Unless there are some extenuating circumstances that comply with the district’s attendance rules, absences resulting from not having the required immunization will be recorded as unexcused absences. The required immunizations are listed on the Health Services page of the district website.

Here is the letter sent home with students Oct. 1:

October 1, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

On March 5, 2009, the Executive Commissioner on Health and Human Services approved several revisions to the “Immunization Requirements for Children and Students in Texas Public and Private Schools” [Title 25. Health Services, Chapter 97, Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 97.61 and 97.63-97.77]. The changes included several additional vaccination requirements impacting FWISD students.

The deadline for parents to provide an updated vaccination record was extended from September 1, 2009 until today, October 1, 2009. Per the Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Division, all students without current vaccination records by today’s deadline will be sent home until they receive the necessary vaccinations and provide the school district with documentation.

Our health records indicate that your child does not have the current required vaccinations in order to attend school. Please contact your health care provider as soon as possible in order to obtain the necessary vaccinations and documentation.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your school nurse or principal for additional information.

Thank you,

Michael Steinert, MA, LPC

Executive Director, Student Support Services

Source: Fort Worth ISD