BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The 14 day grace period to get students vaccinated ended Monday. More than 1500 Buffalo City Schools students were sent home from school unable to return until they receive all required vaccinations, but some are having trouble tracking down the meningitis vaccine. Bufflao City Schools says to contact your school nurse for help finding a health care provider who has the vaccine in stock.
1550 student were sent home from Buffalo Schools yesterday because they did not have all of the proper vaccination. @WKBW
— Olivia Proia (@OliviaProia) September 24, 2019
"I just miss all of my subjects. I miss that I can't finish my work now. I'll always be behind now," said Keing Taylor, an 11-year-old 7th grade student at Waterfront Elementary School.
Taylor has been shut out of his classroom because he does not have the meningitis vaccine. He and his mom went to try to get him the shot.
"There was a good 50 people there this morning trying to get the shot and nobody could get it," said Rebecca Graves, Taylor's mom.
That's what Keing and his mom found out when they went to the Childrens' Clinic at Saint Lawrence. That location, along with their primary care doctor, had run out of the meningitis vaccine. Graves received a letter from the clinic in the mail. It said they won't have more shots until November.
"I got to get him in school. They're telling me that they may not have the shot until November 4th. He can't be out of school until November 4th."
But Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gail Burstein said it's a case of supply and demand. Health care providers were previously only allowed to order the vaccine once a month. But New York State had amended that wait time because of the new vaccination laws.
"Our social workers, our school nurses, our principals are working with families because we know the ultimate goal is to get students to school," said Dr. Darren Darren Brown-Hall, the Chief of Staff at Buffalo City Schools.
Dr. Brown-Hall said the school district will help direct parents to health care providers that have the vaccine in stock to get students back in class as quickly as possible.
"I feel like I'm getting behind, and I really like school," Taylor said.
If you're having ttrouble finding a place that has a vaccine for your child, contact your school nurse for help.
