Measles: Information for Schools

02/03/2015 - The Sonoma County Department of Health Services has issued a memo for school leaders regarding the recent outbreak of measles in California (pdf). While there are currently no reported cases in Sonoma County, health officials are carefully monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond accordingly as necessary. The Department requests that schools:

• Send a letter to parents that includes information about measles and encourages them to ensure their children’s vaccines are up-to-date. A draft letter is provided here in English (doc) and Spanish (doc).
• Keep a current list of students who are not immunized or under-immunized in the event there is a confirmed case at the school.
• Report any instances of student absences for reasons of rash/fever to the Public Health Disease Control office at 565-4567.
• Remind teachers, volunteers, and staff that they should review their personal immunization records to ensure their own immunity to measles. (Note that individuals born prior to 1957 are considered immune as they likely had measles as children and developed natural immunity.)

If you have questions about these recommendations or immunization requirements, please contact the county’s immunization coordinator at 565-4573 or IZNurse@sonoma-county.org.

Additional information can also be found in this Letter from the Sonoma County Health Officer, dated February 5.