Students in Montgomery and Prince George's counties have just one more weekend to get the immunizations they need to stay in school.
Kindergarteners in the state are required to get a second dose of the chickenpox vaccine, while students in the seventh grade must get the vaccination for Meningococcal and Tdap, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
Earlier this week, Montgomery County school officials announced that between 2,000 and 3,000 seventh-graders still haven't gotten shots protecting them from whooping cough, meningitis and other illnesses. Those student have until Monday to provide proof that they are in compliance the new state requirement.
Those who do not comply will be excluded from school. However, it's the responsibility of each schools to enforce that exclusion, Kurt Seetoo, the senior immunization epidemiologist at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, explained.
Students in Prince George's County have until Tuesday to fulfill their immunization requirements.
Several free clinics will be held over the weekend in both counties. No appointments are necessary. See the map below for clinic locations.
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Students with medical conditions or religious beliefs that prevent them from getting vaccinated can apply for an exemption.
School officials said they're doing all they can to work with parents to make sure students can go to school.
