Florida Surgeon General Issues Guidance on Kids’ School Attendance Amid Measles Outbreaks
Amid the recent measles outbreaks in various parts of the United States, the Florida surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, has issued important guidance to parents regarding their children’s school attendance. In a letter released on Friday, Dr. Ladapo stated that the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance in light of the measles cluster identified at Manatee Bay Elementary in Weston, Florida.
Typically, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that unvaccinated children who have not had the measles should stay home for up to 21 days if there is a potential exposure at school. However, due to the high immunity rate in the community and the burden on families and educational costs of healthy children missing school, the FDOH is allowing parents to make decisions about school attendance. It is important to note that this recommendation may change as epidemiological investigations continue.
Dr. Ladapo emphasized that individuals who have received the full series of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) immunization or have had a prior infection are 98% protected against the highly contagious virus. On the other hand, those without immunity have a 90% chance of contracting measles. Therefore, if someone in a household contracts measles, all members should consider themselves exposed and monitor symptoms closely.
The doctor also advised that students with symptoms should stay home from school. Common signs and symptoms of measles include a rash on the face, neck, and body; high fever; cough; runny nose; and red, watery eyes. It is crucial that all children presenting with symptoms of illness do not attend school until their symptoms have fully subsided without medication.
The Florida Department of Health’s website lists two doses of the MMR vaccine as a requirement for children entering, attending, or transferring to public and non-public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, emphasized the importance of measles vaccination, stating that the vaccine is almost 100% effective at preventing the spread of the virus, especially when two shots are given.
Dr. Siegel highlighted the significance of vaccinating children against measles, particularly during a time when there is a resurgence of the disease worldwide and travel restrictions are not in place. He emphasized that individual choice must give way to public health and community preservation. While some may argue that this line was blurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Siegel noted that it does not automatically apply to every virus and vaccine.
Measles is highly contagious, and unvaccinated individuals have a 90% chance of catching the illness if they enter a room where measles was present up to two hours prior. Additionally, one in five people with measles ends up in the hospital, highlighting the severity of the disease. Vaccination is crucial in preventing the spread of this dangerous virus.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, also reviewed Dr. Ladapo’s guidance and disagreed with it. He emphasized that measles is not COVID-19 and is one of the leading vaccine-preventable causes of death. Dr. Osborn stated that decisions regarding vaccination should be based on scientific facts and highlighted the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to achieve herd immunity.
Dr. Osborn hypothesized that vaccine reluctance may have increased in recent years due to induced fear surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine. Unfortunately, this has resulted in decreased vaccination rates and subsequent viral outbreaks. He warned against sending unvaccinated children to school during an outbreak, as it is reckless and puts other children at risk.
As of Friday, there have been 35 reported measles cases in various U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely.
It is crucial for parents to make informed decisions about their children’s vaccination and school attendance based on scientific facts. Measles is a highly contagious and potentially dangerous virus that can be prevented through vaccination. By prioritizing public health and community safety, we can work together to control and eliminate measles outbreaks.
