Thousands of seventh-grade students in Montgomery County, Maryland, could be kept out of school beginning next week if they don’t show proof they’ve met new immunization requirements.
New immunization requirements announced this year require seventh-grade students have one Tdap (Tetanus-diphtheria-attenuated pertussis) and one meningococcal (MCV4) vaccination.
Between 2,000 and 3,000 seventh-graders still haven't gotten shots protecting them from whooping cough, meningitis and other illnesses.
County Health Officer Dr. Ulder Tillman said the vaccines are for the safety of everyone. A recent outbreak of whooping cough proves the booster shot is necessary.
Beginning Tuesday, free shot clinics will be offered in the evenings at several county middle schools.
School officials said they're doing all they can to work with parents to make sure students can go to school.
For information about walk-in and appointment-only clinics, please go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/vaccineclinic or call 311.
