Students sent home over immunization records
A nurse practitioner prepares a vaccination. Credit: AP
A dozen students were turned away from North Babylon High School Monday, and nearly that many from Selden Middle School were taught in a separate classroom, because they failed to provide proof of their immunizations.
The actions came as the result of a vaccination audit conducted by the state Health Department. Some 150 schools were chosen statewide based on factors including their location and random selection.
Jeffrey Hammond, a spokesman for the Health Department, said the purpose is to ensure students comply with the law.
"Vaccination is most effective when everyone gets vaccinated," Hammond said. "There are vaccines available to protect children and adults against at least 15 life-threatening or crippling diseases. Immunizations are one of the most important ways for people to protect themselves and others from serious diseases."
North Babylon learned in October that it was selected for the audit and soon identified 181 students who did not have the proper paperwork.
Parents were notified of the requirement by mail on Nov. 5. Those who failed to comply received calls asking them to update their child's records.
It was in one of the later calls that parents were told their children could be barred from class. North Babylon school officials sent 56 students home on Wednesday; 12 were not allowed in the classroom Monday. They will not be allowed back in class until they provide proof of immunization.
A spokeswoman for the district said she didn't know whether the students were not vaccinated or if they simply failed to provide the paperwork.
School officials say they are eager to comply with state standards in part because they could be fined up to $2,000 per noncompliant student.
The Middle Country Central School District was notified in December about the audit and discovered that 34 Selden Middle School students were in violation.
The 11 students who still did not provide the needed immunization records Monday were allowed in school but were taught in a separate classroom.
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