Education
CPS Officials Remind Students to Get Up to Date on Vaccines, Health Records Ahead of Upcoming School Year
(kfuhlert / Pixabay)
With the start of the new academic year just weeks away, Chicago Public Schools officials are reminding students to get up to date on their required vaccinations.
CPS and Chicago Department of Public Health officials on Tuesday issued a notice to students and families, reminding them to get their health records in order before classes resume later this month.
“As we approach the first day of school on August 26th, it’s critical that parents and guardians take the time to make health care appointments and update immunizations to protect students and staff from vaccine-preventable diseases,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a statement. “We want to see all of our students on Monday, August 26th and every day after that, healthy and ready to learn."
The start of the upcoming school year has been pushed back a week while Chicago hosts the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19-22.
According to the district, physical examinations — which are required for students in pre-K, kindergarten, sixth grade, ninth grade and any students entering CPS for the first time — and proof of required immunizations must be submitted to school administrators by Oct. 15.
If records are not provided by that date, principals can begin temporarily excluding students who do not meet the minimum health requirements and are not a part of an exempt group.
Families can access their child’s official immunization records with the state of Illinois via Vax Verify. District families seeking help enrolling their child in health insurance or accessing health care can contact the Healthy CPS Hotline by calling 773-553-5437 or visiting cps.edu/cfbu.
“Our message in public health is consistent and clear: vaccines work and provide the best protection against certain communicable diseases,” CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo “Simbo” Ige said in a statement. “To protect your children, yourself and your community, stay up to date on all your vaccinations.”
Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431
