Measles vaccinations for educators
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Measles vaccinations for educators
The recent measles outbreak has prompted many school leaders to take a look at which students in their districts are vaccinated for the disease. The state mandates vaccination for children before they enter kindergarten, but what about the teachers?
Measles cases have been on the rise since officials first got wind of an outbreak back in December. The cases, many of which originated in Disneyland, prompted health officials to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. Students are mandated by the state to get the measles vaccine though some parents in California can opt out for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. Teachers, though, are a different story.
Gail Williams with Fresno Unified School District said, "At this time, the state of California does not have any requirements for teachers for the measles, mumps, rubella vaccination."
Fresno and Central Uniifed School Districts are recommending their teachers and staff call their primary physicians if they're concerned about the measles outbreak. Whether they've been vaccinated could depend on their age.
Williams said, "The younger teachers are likely fine because they've had to have those requirements when they entered college and those teachers who were born before 1957 it's presumed that they're immune."
Several local pediatricians say teachers and staff should get immunized to protect themselves and the children they teach, even though the state doesn't require it.
Some daycares are also examining their immunization policy for caregivers. Just this month, all KinderCare daycare centers started requiring all staff to get the measles vaccine, after six babies were infected with measles at one of KinderCare's Illinois facilities.
Williams added, "I think it's a good thing to know what the immunization status is of people who are working with that many children."
Health officials suggest adults can also contact their childhood school districts to for their immunization record.
