The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is our highest priority. We hope that by sharing this information, we may be able to protect our students and staff from possible outbreaks, as well as ensure uninterrupted educational opportunities for our students. Please contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns, or for more information about school immunization policies and exemptions.
We have been informed by the Joplin Health Department that measles cases and outbreaks are emerging in several states, including Missouri, as vaccination rates drop. While there are currently NO measles cases and NO exposures in our district, we want to share the following information in order to be prepared for any local outbreaks. Due to the highly contagious nature of the virus that causes measles, if is possible that staff and students who are either unvaccinated or cannot prove immunity will be excluded from school for 21 days after their last exposure.
Proof of Immunity Includes:
Guidelines for School Exclusion:
For more information about measles symptoms, transmission, complications, prevention, and immunization, please visit the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. For local assistance, please contact the Joplin Public Health Department.