IMMUNIZATION DEADLINE

Fort Worth, Texas - Some Fort Worth ISD students were sent home today because they have not complied with the State-imposed mandate of having the required disease inoculations.

On March 5, 2009, the Executive Commissioner on Health and Human Services approved several revisions to the “Immunization Requirements for Children and Students in Texas Public and Private Schools” [Title 25,  Health Services, Chapter 97, Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 97.61 and 97.63-97.77].  The changes included several additional vaccination requirements impacting FWISD students.     

In April, 2009 the FWISD began notifying parents of the new immunization requirements through letters sent home with students, news releases to local media, and banners and highlighted information on the District’s Web site. Students who were not in compliance on the first day of school in August were identified and their parents were notified of the deadline for compliance. 

The deadline for parents to provide an updated vaccination record was extended by from September 1, 2009 until today, October 1, 2009.  Per the Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Division, all students without current vaccination records by today’s deadline are being sent home until they receive the necessary vaccinations and provide the school district with documentation.

Parents are being called to school to retrieve their children. If no one is available to receive the child, the child will be held until dismissal and sent home with a letter explaining the requirements for readmission.

Unless there are some extenuating circumstances that comply with the District’s attendance rules, absences resulting from not having the required immunization will be recorded as unexcused absences. The required immunizations are listed on the Health Services page of the District Web site, www.fwisd.org.

-FWISD-