How Measles Forced One School District to Issue an Ultimatum: Get Vaccinated or Stay Home

Influenza isn’t the only vaccine-preventable disease wreaking havoc on communities across the country. Thirty-one states, from Maine to Hawaii, have seen confirmed cases of measles this year. In Seattle, the threat is seen as so great that the public school system has drawn a line in the sand: If your child hasn’t been vaccinated against measles, they’re not allowed to return to school after the winter holiday break. Days missed as a result will be marked as unexcused absences, further stressing the importance of viewing measles as a serious public health concern. The district made efforts to ensure all children had access to immunization by scheduling three free clinics in the schools, but there were still unvaccinated children becoming infected—not only missing school but also putting other children at risk. The ultimatum is a bold move that is being criticized by some, but it underscores the importance of taking all available preventive measures. Ask patients of all ages if they’re immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella. If they’re not, share the Seattle Public Schools’ move as an example of how important immunizations are—and offer to provide the vaccine on the spot. For more on dealing with vaccine-preventable diseases in urgent care, read Unexpected Viral Illness in an Urgent Care Setting: The Re-Emergence of Mumps, Measles, and Varicella in the JUCM archive.