Deadline Nears For Mandatory Vaccinations At Seattle Schools

SEATTLE, WA — Thousands of Seattle students could be kept from school after Christmas break if their immunization records are not up-to-date. The Associated Press reports some students are not in compliance with state requirements for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

A notice posted on the Seattle Schools website cites a law passed by state legislators this year, removing personal and philosophical exemptions for the MMR vaccine, which is mandatory for school attendance. Lawmakers voted to remove the exemptions after two measles outbreaks sickened 87 people in Washington.

School district officials said student records must show updated immunization status by Jan. 8, 2020. All families with students who are missing vaccine records should have been notified by e-mail, postal mail, and a letter sent home with students.

The school district organized three free immunization clinics over Winter break on Dec. 27, Dec. 30, and Jan. 3, 2020. Families who have received an exclusion letter from the school district are asked to send updated records via e-mail or bring a copy to the school nurse. Anyone with medical or religious reasons for non-vaccination must bring a Certificate of Exemption to the child's school.

Seattle Schools said any days missed as a result of the exclusion will count as unexcused absences. Once a student returns to school with up-to-date immunizations, the absences can be excused.

Washington families can find a copy of their child's immunization records online, or by contacting the state Department of Health.

KIRO 7 reported school districts were required to begin excluding students within one month of school starting in the fall, but many districts handled the deadlines differently, due to a lack of enforcement. Tacoma Schools sent exclusion notices to students in September.