Rochester schools vow to remove students not in compliance with vaccination rules

The Rochester Public School district is getting tough on students whose vaccinations aren't up to date.

The school board has approved a resolution that would remove more than 200 students starting March 1 if they don't get immunizations or exemptions, typically for health or religious reasons.

District officials say there's an unusually high number of students out of compliance this year. They don't know why.

It's an unusual move for the district, and the subject hasn't come up at a school board meeting for at least six years.

A district spokesperson said that students who are removed cannot work remotely if they are asked to leave, but that they can return to school the day after they get their vaccines.

The district will be working to provide easier access to immunizations before the next school year begins.

Kris Ehresmann, director for Infectious Disease at the Minnesota Department of Health, said Rochester's immunization rates are above the Minnesota average, but she welcomed the district's move to enforce state vaccination requirements.

"We see them as taking that responsibility seriously in order to respond to what they perceived as a concern about health and safety for their students," Ehresmann said.