Every student attending public schools in Maryland, including Frederick County (FCPS), are required to have certain immunizations, which are also known as vaccines or shots, to attend school. Schools are required to keep a record of every student’s immunization record; each parent or guardian has the responsibility of keeping their child up-to-date with immunizations.
Per Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) rules strictly set that “beginning on the first day of school, FCPS will exclude any students who do not have the required immunizations unless they present evidence of an appointment for the missing immunizations scheduled within the next 20 calendar days. This includes students enrolled in the Virtual school program.”
Linganore High School (LHS) nurse Kris Carey finds that having mandatory vaccines is very important in public schools including LHS.
“I think if it wasn’t mandatory the people would not get them and then we would see a pattern of these viruses spreading throughout our school,” said Carey.
She explained the Maryland code regulations list the required vaccine shots as Tetanus, Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chickenpox) and Meningitis.
The mandated vaccines and public school guidelines stir opinions on both sides: those that are for vaccinations and those that are against. Some parents are fully on board with the rules, whereas others are not so happy they are forced into compliance.
LHS parent Jennifer Shipley is a pro-immunization parent who believes mandatory shots are the only way to keep her child in a safe and healthy environment. Shipley also takes notice of the proven, decades-long scientific studies behind the mandates.
Though Shipley believes that parents have the right to reject vaccine shots, she also thinks that this can put other children at risk.
“I believe as a parent you have the right,” Shipley said. “I personally do disagree with it because the whole purpose of a vaccine shot is to protect the community, and there are kids and adults who can’t get vaccines because of underlying health issues like cancer, or other immune deficient type diseases, and it’s our responsibility as parents to protect those other families.”
Shipley believes that if vaccine requirements had not been specifically established for public schools there would still be disagreement.
“There will alway be people who will believe in conspiracies, and no matter what the issue is, they are going to find some data that proves their theory,” Shipley said. “Unfortunately, we’ve had misinformation for the last ten to fifteen years about vaccines.”
Another LHS parent, Christie Rice, is against the public school regulations and personally believes it should be a parent’s choice rather than the school system’s.
“I believe that a parent should be able to reject it [a vaccine] depending on the student’s health and if the vaccine has adverse effects,” said Rice.
Overall, vaccine requirements in schools are essential for public health, protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring that educational environments remain safe. By mandating vaccines, schools are able to prevent the spread of contagious viruses.
Though the opinions and feelings of students and parents are acknowledged, the overall benefits of vaccination keep students and communities safe, and further ensures a safe learning environment.