Sixth-graders without new boosters may be sent home

More than 2,500 Triangle sixth-graders need to face the sharp jab of a needle today or be suspended from school this week for violating the state's new vaccination law.

Most area school districts will begin sending home students on Wednesday if they haven't received a new booster shot to combat whooping cough and other communicable diseases. To avoid having large numbers of student suspensions, special clinics will be held today in Wake, Durham and Johnston counties to give free vaccinations to sixth-graders who still need them.

"If parents follow the law, students won't be suspended," said Mary Castleberry, principal of Wendell Middle School, where 29 students needed shots as of Monday.

A new state law that went into effect Jan. 1 says that students entering sixth-grade after Aug. 1 of this year must get a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis if they haven't had one in the past five years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the booster after North Carolina saw an increase in pertussis, or whooping cough.

School and county health officials say they've been notifying parents about the new vaccination law since last spring, sending home numerous letters and holding multiple free clinics.

But Triangle officials estimate that up to 25 percent of sixth-graders in some districts haven't shown proof they've been vaccinated.

Similar problems are occurring statewide, where as many as 35 percent of the sixth-graders in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system may not have the required vaccination.

"It's a new law," said Debbie Casey, immunization nurse for the Johnston County Public Health Department. "Hopefully it will be smoother next year."

Johnston's health department will hold a free clinic from 2 to 7 p.m. at its office on 517 N. Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield. It's a walk-in clinic, but parents are encouraged to call 989-5222 or 989-5272 to register their children ahead of time.

Free clinics also are being held today in middle schools in Wake and Durham counties. Parents need to sign forms giving permission for their children to receive the shots.

"Having clinics here was really huge," said A.J. Muttillo, principal of West Millbrook Middle School in North Raleigh. "It should help us get most of them."

State law gives students a 30-day grace period from the first day of class to show proof of the booster shot or an appointment card showing they'll receive the vaccination. Students can also show documentation citing the need for a medical or religious exemption.

Starting as early as Wednesday, most Triangle school districts will begin turning away students who haven't gotten their shots. The Chatham County school system has the most liberal policy, giving students until Oct. 6.

School and health officials say they expect relatively few students will be barred from class.

"For a lot of families, it might be an issue of turning the paperwork in," said Stephanie Willis, coordinator of Exceptional Children/Student Services for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system.