Borough President Vito Fossella Voices Concern over Vaccination Status of Migrant Students

As a new school year begins, Borough President Vito Fossella is raising concerns over migrant students attending classes without being fully vaccinated.
 
“When your child went to school, you had to show that your child was immunized and fully vaccinated for all different types of diseases -- and we all complied,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of P.S. 38 in Midland Beach. “Both the City of New York and the State of New York over time decided that was the best thing to do for young people in a school setting not only for their protection, but also for the protection of other children and the teachers and administrators in the school system, but once again you throw the rulebook out the window. We think if you're going to impose a standard on ordinary citizens, then that same standard should be imposed on individuals from 120 different countries who want to show up on day one for school. So, we’re asking everybody who is in a position of authority to do the right thing and to make a decision to not allow young people to enter a school until they can prove that they have been immunized and fully vaccinated. That’s not too much to ask.”

He noted that the children are not to blame.

“This is not a direct assault or criticism of the young kids who are coming here -- it’s not about them whatsoever,” Borough President Fossella said. “They are the most innocent in this whole escapade that is taking place before our eyes, but at the same time we have a duty to protect the families and children who attend public schools across Staten Island.”