Background

Tony and Shujen Politella, a Vermont family, enrolled their son Leone in a local public school. When the school announced a vaccination clinic, Tony proactively asked whether he should keep Leone home to ensure he was not vaccinated. School officials assured him that Leone could safely attend without receiving the vaccine.

What Happened

Despite these assurances, Leone was mistakenly given an arm tag with another child’s name and was administered the vaccine without his parents' consent. Leone objected, but staff distracted him with a stuffed toy.

The Aftermath

When Shujen learned what had happened, she confronted the school, only to face denial, blame-shifting, and hostility. The Politellas removed Leone from the school and enrolled him in private education—an unexpected financial burden that forced Tony, at age 69, to return to construction work.

Determined to hold the school accountable, they pursued legal action. However, Vermont’s Attorney General argued that the school was immune from liability under the PREP Act, a federal law designed to protect vaccine manufacturers—not school officials. The Vermont Supreme Court ruled against the family, leaving them without legal recourse.

Why This Matters

This case raises serious concerns about parental rights, medical consent, and legal accountability. If a school can ignore a parent's explicit instructions and face no consequences, what protections remain?

If you have faced a similar situation, legal support may be available.