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Teen Kept From School Because of Vaccination Issue, Says She Won't Back Down
Written by Lindsey Burnworth
Last updated on September 27, 2012 @ 2:12PM
Created on September 27, 2012 @ 6:30PM
For 17 year old Olivia Hudok, this school year was the one she had been looking forward to since she was a little girl. She was on track to be valedictorian of her class at the Pickens School, and then graduate with her fellow seniors before heading to college.
But now, that's all changed. Olivia refused to get booster shots of the TDap and MCV4 vaccinations, a new requirement for 7th and 12th graders in the state. The result? She's now not allowed on school property.
"It's awful. I've been going to the Pickens School from fourth grade," said Olivia Hudok. "I'm in my senior year and now they're saying, 'you can't go back to school, unless you do this'."
Olivia asked to get a religious exemption from these immunizations. The problem? West Virginia is one of only two states that doesn't accept that exemption. And now, Olivia and her father are ready to fight for their rights.
"I believe it's important for the children. Many children in this state are out of school, and some of them are treated a lot worse than Olivia," said Phillip Hudok, Olivia's dad.
These immunization requirements are issued statewide by the Department of Health and Human Resources. As a result, county schools must enforce the rules if a student doesn't get the shots.
"In this case, there wasn't a medical exemption issued, there was one requested. It was denied by the local health office of Dr. Mary Boyd, and she sent a letter to both the Hudok's with a copy to us excluding her from school," said Dr. James Phares, Randolph County Schools' Superintendent.
Olivia still isn't allowed to go back to the Pickens School. She said no matter what the outcome on Friday, she won't give in.
"I can't just avoid that and say okay. I want to finish my senior year, I want to go back to school, you know? But that's not what it is, it's a religious conviction that I refuse to give in, I can't give in," said Hudok.
The case will go before Judge Jaymie Wilfong on Friday. Stay with 5 News for the latest.
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