SPRINGFIELD, IL — Approximately 200 Springfield students were sent home from school today because they did not have the required up-to-date vaccination records by today’s deadline.
In District 186, the latest vaccination offer deadline was 2 p.m. today. Only 196 of the district’s 13,000 students missed the deadline.
Jennifer Hughes, District 186 health services manager, said they are giving parents two chances to meet the deadline. The first was October 1st, and today is the 15th.
Students who have been expelled from school will be able to return to school once their immunization records are verified.
Hughes said if a student doesn’t have an up-to-date vaccination record, it affects the students around them.
“We have students who are on sports teams, students who are in Schola Bowl, and students who are in classes as part of a project,” Hughes said. “Not being able to participate can cause your teammates and classmates to work even harder to accomplish what they need to do.”
Hughes added that students who miss school will have to make up for missed study. The district said it is partnering with the Department of Public Health to provide school clinics.
In Illinois, students in kindergarten through 12th grade must be vaccinated to remain in school. Religious and medical exceptions are available.
