Nineteen unvaccinated students were forced to unenroll from Damonte Ranch High Schoo in Reno to avoid exposure during an outbreak of whooping cough.

The 19 students had claimed a religious exemption to not be vaccinated for whooping cough.

Unenrolling during the disease’s 21-day incubation period allows them to avoid being classified as chronically absent. 

Three students at the school have been diagnosed with whooping cough.

A school district official tells the Reno Gazette-Journal that the students will be in contact with their teachers and won’t be held back. She says absences because of a lack of vaccination can’t be excused under federal law.