School districts in York County are finally seeing the number of students left to meet the new immunization requirements dwindle into the single digits, and in some cases to a long-awaited zero.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health extended the grace period for the May 1 deadline, so most students had until May 15 or shortly after to meet the vaccination requirement or be barred from class.

Most districts in York County say 100 percent of their students have received the required vaccinations.

Every student in the West York School District has fulfilled the new immunization requirements, said Superintendent Emilie M. Lonardi. The last student was brought up to date within the past two weeks, Lonardi said.

Dallastown, Eastern York, Hanover, Northeastern, Northern York, Red Lion, Spring Grove, Southern York and York Suburban School Districts all reported 100 percent compliance from their students as well.

The South Western School District was in good shape, said Superintendent Barbara Rupp.

"We have four students left, but they all have confirmed doctor's appointments," Rupp said. "So all the work we did was

worth it, and we're all set."

The West Shore School District had fewer than five students who did not meet the final deadline on May 15, said Ryan Argot, director of federal programs for West Shore.

The district communicated regularly with families through announcements via its family handbook, letters and phone calls to make sure they were aware of the change, Argot said.

Central York, Dover, South Eastern and York City School Districts did not return calls for comment.

New rules went into effect last August that require students to have proof of the necessary vaccinations in order to remain in class. Students who did not have their immunizations in time are now excluded from class until the requirements are met.

The new regulations require students in all grades to provide proof of a second dose of the mumps vaccine and a second dose of the chicken pox vaccine. Seventh-graders must also have one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) and one dose of the tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap).

-- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com.