Title: Henrico County School Districts Take Measures to Uphold Vaccination Requirements
Henrico County, Virginia – As the new school year approaches, local school districts in Henrico County are ramping up efforts to ensure students are up-to-date on their vaccinations. In recent months, Henrico County Public Health Nurse Nicole McCurrach and her team have administered nearly 1,100 vaccines, guaranteeing that students in the county are ready to return to school.
Henrico County isn’t alone in its vaccination drive. Chesterfield County Public Schools, along with several others, are also stressing the importance of providing documentation of vaccinations before students are admitted. The Virginia Department of Health closely monitors immunization rates in various school districts, revealing that Henrico County has the highest rate in the area. Approximately 90.9% of 12th graders in Henrico County are currently caught up on their vaccinations.
Comparatively, the rates in Richmond and Chesterfield are significantly lower. Richmond’s 12th graders have a vaccination rate of 67.3%, while Chesterfield’s rate lags behind at just 32.1% for the Fall 2022 semester. Focusing on this discrepancy, the Chesterfield Health District has joined forces with Chesterfield County Public School nursing teams to increase vaccination rates before the start of the academic year.
However, it is important to note that these statistics may change. As nurses return to their duties in August, they will input data regarding students who received vaccinations through private medical providers. Therefore, vaccination rates are expected to rise further once this data is accounted for.
Parents have been promptly informed that failure to comply with the immunization requirements means their children may not be able to start school on time. While religious exemptions are available for families who seek them, McCurrach strongly encourages families behind on vaccinations to contact their local health departments and health districts. Appointments can be scheduled to catch up on any missed immunizations.
With the new school year just around the corner, school districts in Henrico County are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring students are protected and prepared. By prioritizing vaccination records, these districts aim to guarantee the health and well-being of their students and faculty members.
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