Before the 2023-2024 school year kicked off on Monday, many public school students had to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated to protect themselves against a variety of diseases.
The state of Maryland and Montgomery County require students get shots as early as pre-school. The required vaccines help protect against illnesses such as measles, mumps, and rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, and meningitis.
The school system does not require vaccines against Covid-19. The state of Maryland does not mandate vaccines for home-schooled children. However, if students are attending MCPS’s virtual school, they need their shots.
School nurses will spend the next couple of weeks checking vaccine records for students. A spokesperson with the Department of Health and Human Services says “typically 99% of students are fully vaccinated. The other 1% has religious or medical exemptions.”
Students not up to date with their vaccinations can attend class at the start of the school year. These students are given a 20-day grace period to show they will comply with the vaccination requirements.
The school system will hold several vaccination clinics for students to get their shots in the coming days. The current clinic dates are Sept. 12, Sept. 19, and Sept. 26. The following website has more information: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/immunizations/#1
Increase in Covid-19 Cases
Meantime, Covid-19 is still circulating in the community as the new school year begins. Dr. Kisha Davis is Montgomery County’s health officer. She is urging parents and children to be vigilant.
“I want to emphasize the importance of health and safety in our community. We have observed recent increases in Covid-19 cases. Vaccination remains a powerful tool in our fight against the virus. I strongly encourage everyone to get the new Covid-19 booster when it becomes available this fall,” Davis said.
“I’d like to remind everyone that while the most recent Covid-19 cases have been less severe, it still is causing severe disease in some. Folks should take precaution to limit spread so practice good hand hygiene and stay home when you are sick,” Davis added.
Flu and RSV
She also said flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain a concern. She encouraged people in the community to get the latest flu and soon-to-be released RSV shots when they become available to protect against respiratory illnesses.
Davis said another good way to protect yourself and the people around you are to wear a mask. The elderly, infants, and people who are immunocompromised are most at risk of getting seriously ill from these respiratory diseases.
