LMSD Updates Families on Measles

The following letter was sent to parents by Lower Merion School District:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Since January 1, more than 100 people have contracted measles in a multi-state outbreak that originated in a California amusement park. Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported a confirmed case of measles in Shippensburg and they are investigating reports of potential cases in other parts of our state. We thought it may be helpful to share information about measles immunization requirements in Pennsylvania schools.

Immunization (vaccination) requirements in LMSD schools: LMSD complies with PA law which requires specific immunizations for children attending public and non-public schools. Detailed information about these immunization requirements can be found at the PA DOH website: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/immunizations/14141/school_children_immunizations/557995. Approximately 97% of students in Lower Merion public schools are immunized against measles having received the first dose between 12-15 months of age and the second dose between 4-6 years of age. Certified School Nurse monitor the immunization status of each student and file a detailed immunization report with the PA DOH annually.

Information about Measles and the measles vaccine: Information about Measles and the measles vaccine can be found at the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/measles/ or at http://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/measles/.

Exemptions from immunization: Pennsylvania is one of 20 states that allow students to attend school without required immunizations if they have filed an exemption. Approximately 3% of students in our public schools have medical or religious exemptions. Medical exemptions are physician-authorized and are for children with conditions in which immunization may cause a threat to health. For example, a student who is immunosuppressed due to chemotherapy may have a medical exemption. Most exemptions however, are those claimed by parents who object to immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief. The PA DOH and the Montgomery County DOH have the authority to recommend or direct schools to exclude unimmunized (exempt) students during an outbreak of a reportable communicable disease such as measles. LMSD follows the direction of state and local health agencies in matters of reportable communicable illness. Parents/guardians of unimmunized students will be notified promptly if there is a recommendation or directive for school exclusion. Typically a directive to exclude would last until the threat of disease has passed or until the child is sufficiently immunized. To date, we have not received a recommendation or directive from the PA DOH or the Montgomery County DOH to exclude unimmunized students.

We encourage parents/guardians of students with concerns about the measles outbreak especially those who have children with medical exemptions to contact their health care provider and the School Nurse. Parents/guardians may also call the Montgomery County Health Dept. at 61 278-5117 and the LMSD Health Services Office at 610 645-1829.

Terry Quinlan-Clampffer, MEd, MA, RN, CSN
Supervisor School Health Services

________________________

Check out these other Patch stories:

• Kerns Loses Law License
• Bryn Mawr Doctor Illegally Distributed Oxycodone, FBI Says
• Beware of Scammers, Montco Sheriff’s Office Says