Dear MSD Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
As you may be aware, Snohomish County has declared a measles outbreak in a nearby community. Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious harm. We are closely monitoring the situation with the Snohomish County Health Department and preparing for the possibility of exposures in our schools.
There are reported cases of measles in a nearby district that required school closures per Snohomish County Health Department regulations.
Most people have received two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine; however, some individuals are not vaccinated or are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons.
If a measles exposure occurs in one of our schools, the Snohomish County Health Department requires that individuals who are not vaccinated or who cannot provide documentation of immunity stay home for 21 days from the date of the last exposure. This public health measure helps prevent further spread and protects those who are most vulnerable.
We ask all students, staff, and volunteers to review their immunization status and discuss any questions or concerns with their health care provider. Student immunization records should already be on file from enrollment.
In the event of a school exposure, staff and volunteers will be required to provide documentation of measles immunity, either through an official vaccination record or a laboratory blood test. We encourage you to prepare for this possibility.
If you are interested in receiving a measles vaccination, please contact your health care provider or local pharmacy.
You can access your immunization records by registering at https://myirmobile.com/.
More information can be found on the Washington State Department of Health website at https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/measles.
If you have questions, please contact your health care provider or your school nurse.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school community healthy.
Sincerely,
Health Services Team