In a significant legal decision handed down in federal court Tuesday, a Long Island high school student has been granted a medical exemption from a New York state vaccine requirement, allowing her to attend school this fall without receiving the third dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine.

The ruling came just weeks before the 16-year-incoming old junior was at risk of being denied entry to Oceanside High School. A federal judge ordered the Oceanside School District to accept the exemption based on the recommendation of the student’s personal physician, who determined that an adverse reaction to a previous dose meant she should not receive the third.

Outside the courthouse in Central Islip, more than 100 supporters—many dressed in pink—gathered to show solidarity with the student, who was visibly emotional after the decision.

"I'm so happy. Words can't even describe how I'm feeling right now," said the student, identified only as Sarah. “It feels unreal.”

The Oceanside School District had argued that its own physician needed to see documented evidence of the adverse reaction before approving the exemption. However, the court disagreed, stating that under state law, a medical exemption requires only that a licensed physician certify that a vaccine may be harmful to a student’s health.

“The law is very clear,” said Sujata Gibson, the student’s attorney. “If a physician certifies a child is at risk of harm, then that child should be exempt, and the school district is not in the business of overruling treating physicians.”

The judge’s decision is valid through June 30, 2026, allowing Sarah to attend school for her entire junior year without further vaccine requirements for Hepatitis B.

News 12 reached out to the Oceanside School District for comment but has not received a response.