Migrants in NYC Shelters Not Required for Initial School Enrollment
In a recent announcement, city officials revealed that migrants living in temporary shelters in New York City will not need vaccinations when initially enrolling in the public school system. During a press conference held on Wednesday, it was clarified that there is a specific timeframe for these vaccinations to be obtained once the students are already in school.
NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks shared that approximately 19,000 students residing in temporary housing have enrolled in city schools since July 2022. Banks reassured, “We have room for the students,” referring to the migrant children who have recently arrived in the city.
However, there are vaccination requirements for students aged 2 months to 18 years old attending public school, child care, or private school. Typically, these students must be vaccinated against a list of diseases before attending. Exceptions exist for cases where a child has received the first dose of a school-required vaccine that mandates multiple doses. It’s important to note that religious exemptions for mandated vaccines are no longer permitted according to the city’s department of education.
Efforts are underway to prevent the concentration of migrants in specific areas, with Banks highlighting that some schools have received a higher number of migrant students due to the distribution of temporary housing. To manage this situation, strategies are being developed to ensure an equitable distribution of students across schools.
In conclusion, the NYC Department of Education was contacted by Fox News Digital for further comments on this matter. This development aims to facilitate the enrollment of migrant students while adhering to vaccination requirements and ensuring fair access to education across the city.