Students get more chances at immunizations

PORTAGE | Students in grades six through 12 will have until Nov. 5 to provide proof of current immunizations or face exclusion from school.

As of Wednesday 1,164 students had not provided proof of immunization, Portage Township Schools Superintendent Mike Berta reported at Wednesday night's School Board meeting.

This year the state mandates T-dap, meningitis and a second chicken pox vaccine for middle and high school students. There are approximately 4,700 students in those grades in Portage Schools.

In September, Berta said, about 2,300 students had not provided necessary information. The district received a waiver of the Sept. 20 exclusion date from the state. It held three evening immunization clinics in conjunction with NorthShore Community Health Centers the first week of October, but only about half of the students needing immunizations attended.

Berta said the district and NorthShore will offer two more evening clinics on Nov. 2 and 3 for students needing to update their immunizations. The immunizations are being offered at no cost.

Students who have not provided verification of updated immunizations or written proof from their physician or clinic that they have an appointment to receive immunizations will be excluded from class as of Nov. 5.

"We have provided a lot of opportunities here," Berta said. Parents have been reminded of the state-mandated immunizations and clinics through the telephone messaging system. Letters will be sent to the homes of all students who have not complied reminding them of the requirements, the clinic dates and the exclusion date, he said.