Middle school goes to remote learning after 1 measles case

[Emergent, RN]

A Seattle middle school is going to remote learning because of one case of measles. I'm not quite understanding the emergency, since all children are supposed to have a measles vaccine. Is this the new trend after Covid?

Years ago in California, when there was a measles outbreak, the policy was that anybody not vaccinated was excluded from school until the outbreak was over. They were less strict about vaccinations back in the '80s. Washington state became very strict about it a few years ago. So I don't understand the rationale in shutting the doors of the school for one case of measles, rather than just offering remote learning for the immunocompromised, or other people unable to get the vaccine.

Aki Kurose Middle School switching to remote learning following confirmed case of measles

[Glitternurse, LVN]

In California there are loopholes that allow parents to opt out of vaccinations for special education students. I don't know if Washington has the same loopholes, but the only reason I can think of is if the school has a large population of special education students, who are not vaccinated. Other than that I am as mystified as you are.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Yeeps! I wonder if they made that decision with he assist of the Department of Public Health?

[londonflo]

Emergent said:

A Seattle middle school is going to remote learning because of one case of measles.

Is this one of the towns that had parents rejecting any childhood vaccines ? I realize Seattle is a  not city but there was an outlying group that objected to childhood vaccines. 

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I wonder what percentage of children have parents who opted out of MMR? If it's a high number, the Heath Department might have required it. 

[londonflo]

lifelearningrn said:

the Heath Department might have required it.

?????

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Glitternurse said:

In California there are loopholes that allow parents to opt out of vaccinations for special education students. I don't know if Washington has the same loopholes, but the only reason I can think of is if the school has a large population of special education students, who are not vaccinated. Other than that I am as mystified as you are.

I'd bet that the population of un- or under-vaccinated students is at or greater than 20%, and that with COVID demonstrating that we can do remote learning (not that we should), districts may jump to this option way more quickly to prevent the spread of diseases. Remote learning is certainly a good way to prevent spread and since measles can remain live in the air and on surfaces for up to 2 hours after exposure, who knows how many kids could become infected. There is also the chance that the infected child WAS vaccinated, which could suggest a vaccine resistant strain - which would be incredibly scary given how contagious and dangerous it is... A doc I used to work with almost died from measles-induced encephalitis in residency - he wasn't vaccinated for measles (or hadn't been since early childhood?), but otherwise healthy, in his 20s and was exposed during rounds and still ended up intubated in ICU for 2 weeks. He is a die-hard vaccine enthusiast and essentially refers any patients who refuse vaccines out to other providers.

Here is the county press release - very interesting!! https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/news/2023/May/20-measles.aspx

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

londonflo said:

?????

I think they mean the Health Department may have been the deciding body on closing the school building... School administrators may have made that decision out of an abundance of caution, however, state or county level health departments could have also made the call...

[Emergent, RN]

londonflo said:

Is this one of the towns that had parents rejecting any childhood vaccines ? I realize Seattle is a  not city but there was an outlying group that objected to childhood vaccines. 

This is in the Seattle City School District. Generally speaking, Seattle was very adherent to the covid 19 mandates. I doubt if very many people in that area question the status quo of the American Medical Association stance on vaccines.

This was just a news article that I read. I personally don't live in Seattle and don't know the particulars of the area where this school is.

lifelearningrn said:

I wonder what percentage of children have parents who opted out of MMR? If it's a high number, the Heath Department might have required it. 

The state of Washington doesn't allow for personal exemptions anymore on school mandated vaccines. One must have a religious objection or a documented health related reason to opt out of a vaccine.

[GmaPearl BSN RN]

This is a link to information from the school's website explaining the situation.

https://kurosems.seattleschools.org/news/aki-kurose-immunization-records-update/

[Nurse Trini]

Emergent said:

 

The state of Washington doesn't allow for personal exemptions anymore on school mandated vaccines. One must have a religious objection or a documented health related reason to opt out of a vaccine.

Personal exemption is not allowed MMR, but is for others.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Ahhh, that makes more sense. Staff immunization status. I actually got a titre done a few years ago and needed a booster. I am 62. I wonder how many of us nurses are under immunized....