DeLuca Plan to Help Adult Learners Meet College Vaccine Requirements Passes House (Springfield, IL) – A proposal led by state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, to provide greater flexibility for older students returning to college to meet vaccine requirements has passed the Illinois House with bipartisan support.
“Sometimes when adults choose to continue their academic journey, they run into unexpected hurdles with vaccine requirements because old records may not be available, such as when an old doctor’s office closes and paperwork can’t be tracked down,” DeLuca said. “This problem was brought up to me by a local constituent, and in response I’m excited to have collaborated on a measure that will create a better pathway for those impacted to get back in the classroom sooner with less hassle.”
DeLuca’s House Bill 1073 updates the state’s College Student Immunization Act regarding tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine requirements. Current law reflects youth immunization schedules, which require three or more doses of the vaccine before starting classes. Under DeLuca’s measure, prospective adult students who do not have documentation of receiving three or more doses earlier in life can instead show that they have received a dose at least once in the 10 years prior to beginning enrollment, and then catch up with the additional necessary doses while enrolled.
“Most of those who are impacted likely received the recommended number of doses in their youth,” DeLuca said. “This proposal is a responsible step forward that will expand opportunity and help more residents pursue the education and future they want.”
House Bill 1073 passed the House with bipartisan support, and now heads to the Illinois Senate for consideration.
For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.
DeLuca Plan to Help Adult Learners Meet College Vaccine Requirements Passes House
