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Students have extra time to get immunized this year, governor orders

Students have extra time to get up-to-date on their vaccines, new executive action from the governor says.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Students have extra time to get up-to-date on their vaccines, new executive action from the governor says.

The state will extend, but not waive, the vaccine requirement from the state due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Typically, proof of immunizations and health assessments are required in the first 30 days of school. This year, students won't need to have their immunizations up-to-date until October.

The "grace period" for having immunization records in begins Oct. 1. After that, students have 30 days to get documentation of their vaccinations and health assessment to the school. If they don't, they will be prevented from attending school.

All students going to school -- students being homeschooled, going to school in-person or students participating in online school -- have to be up-to-date on their vaccines per state law. This law applies to students enrolled in public, private or religious educational institutions.

In 2018, the immunization law was also adjusted in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

"Whether your children are going back to school in person or virtually, please make sure they are protected from preventable diseases and death," said President of the North Carolina Pediatric Society Susan Mims. 

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