MoCo Schools Given More Time to Immunize Students

With nearly 500 students still not vaccinated as required by the state, Montgomery County Public Schools has applied for a 45-day waiver to allow seventh-graders time to get the vaccinations they need.

“At this point we are continuing to work with families to ensure students get the immunizations they need. We hope to hear from the state quickly,” MCPS spokesman Dana Tofig wrote Montgomery Community Media in an email Monday.

On Monday, 487 county students still did not have proof that they met the new requirements, Montgomery County Health and Human Services Spokesperson Mary Anderson told MyMCMedia.

Last week, Anne Arundel County Public Schools said it would seek the vaccination extension and schedule more clinics to get students vaccinated. And, Prince George’s County Public Schools said Monday they will seek the 45-day extension, too.

Sixteen students within the Montgomery school system had become ill with whooping cough or pertussis in recent weeks. Clinics were offered at nine high schools in the county. Parents can also go through the Vaccines for Children Program to eligible children through 18 years of age, at three health centers in Montgomery County.

Anderson said previously she expects more clinics will be scheduled this week to address this particular population.

Schools must send the state health agency an outreach plan by Oct. 2 detailing how the school systems will identify all students who lack the immunizations and how to provide ways to help students comply.

New immunization requirements have gone into effect for seventh-graders this year that require all students to receive the TDAP and MCV vaccines. These vaccinations protect students against meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

According to the letter, the school system must submit a final report demonstrating compliance of the new requirements by Nov. 3.

Whooping Cough Symptoms

According to the Centers for Disease Control, pertussis spreads easily from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Patients are generally treated with antibiotics, which are used to control the symptoms and to prevent infected people from spreading the disease. Vaccination can often prevent the disease.

The disease is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe, says the CDC. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths, which result in a “whooping” sound. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.

Anyone diagnosed is reported to the Maryland Health Department and then in turn reported to the county’s health agency. Symptoms include a runny nose and a cough that sounds similar to a bark, according to the CDC.