WICHITA, Kansas- For the Silva sisters, getting off the bus Friday means no school for the weekend. But the youngest, Michelle, may not have school come Monday either, unless she gets up to date with her vaccinations.
“Over the last several years, the laws have changed about what's required, so there are more immunizations required based on what people get,” said Hadley Middle School Nurse, Sandy Elliott.
That's one of the reasons Michelle and more than 1,000 other students in the Wichita school district are not properly vaccinated. Now, they won't be allowed to come back to school until they are.
“I've spent my whole life trying to keep kids in school and then to say, ‘Don't come to school,’ is something I don't want to do.” said Elliott.
But Elliott says it is crucial the kids have the needed inoculations.
“A lot of times there's pertussis outbreaks and so that's one of the things that's been added to help teens prevent pertussis,” said Elliott. “And based on the things we see in the population they've added immunizations.”
Yet school officials say it's nothing that should be new to parents. Since last spring, the schools have sent home letters, made personal calls, and spoke to parents in person about what vaccines are needed.
Still for parents, like Michelle's mom, the changes have been confusing.
She now knows what extra shot Michelle needs and says she'll take her before Monday so she can get back on the bus with her sisters.
Complete vaccination requirements can be found here.
School officials also encourage parents with questions to call their school’s nurse.