Newton bans unvaccinated students from school amid health concerns
- The public schools in Newton, Massachusetts, will enforce a vaccination mandate for students this fall.
- This decision follows a recent review revealing that many students remain unvaccinated, raising public health concerns.
- As a result, unvaccinated students will not be permitted to attend classes, aiming to protect overall community health.
In Newton, Massachusetts, the public school system has recently mandated that only vaccinated students will be allowed to attend school following a chickenpox outbreak. Superintendent Anna Nolin announced this decision in mid-June 2025, citing a review of student vaccination statuses which revealed that 182 students, representing slightly more than 1% of the student body, lacked the necessary immunizations. The current vaccination policy was put into place mainly due to heightened concerns regarding outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in light of national trends indicating an increase in such cases. Health experts are alarmed about the potential spread of measles due to 42 unvaccinated students identified as not fully vaccinated against the disease. The superintendent stressed the responsibility of the school to adhere to state laws regarding immunization as a means of protecting not just individual students, but the community as a whole. Previous state waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed some students to advance grades without meeting vaccination requirements, but the recent health crisis prompted a renewed focus on vaccinating students. To address the needs of unvaccinated students, Newton Health and Human Services, along with school nurses, will provide vaccination opportunities in an effort to bring students into compliance with state mandates. This proactive approach aims to increase vaccination rates significantly before the new school year begins, combating the backdrop of recent outbreaks nationwide, including a notable rise in measles cases and instances of exposed populations. The policy has evoked mixed reactions from the community, with healthcare professionals strongly supporting the mandate, emphasizing the importance of vaccinations for overall public health. However, some parents have voiced their concerns about the strictness of the vaccination policy, arguing that it should ultimately be a personal choice. Those who oppose the mandate believe that medical exemptions or religious considerations should be honored, as Massachusetts law allows for such exemptions. The discrepancy in perspectives highlights ongoing debates about parental rights and children's health in the modern educational landscape.