Health Services2

Dear San Bernardino City Unified School District Families: We are providing the following information to answer questions
you may have about measles and to help you protect your family against this disease.

What is measles?
Measles is caused by a virus. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can cause ear infections, diarrhea, and serious illness such as pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Although rare, it can lead to death.

Most people who have never been vaccinated against or had the measles will get it if they have contact with someone who has measles. The virus can spread easily when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also stay in the air and on surfaces for hours. You can be infected by being in a room an infected person was in or by touching an object they've touched. This is why it is so important for you and your children to be vaccinated.

How can you prevent measles?
Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep from getting and spreading measles. People should get the measles mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine if they haven't been vaccinated or don't know if they were. Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age and a second dose at 4-6 years of age. All adolescents and adults born after 1956 who haven't been vaccinated should also be vaccinated.

If you or your child have not received the recommended doses, call your doctor to get the MMR vaccine. Families who do not have a regular health care provider or health insurance that covers vaccines can visit http://wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/programs/clinics/clinic-locations/ for a list of clinics providing free or low-cost vaccines.

Are measles vaccines required to attend school?
Yes. California law requires students receive the measles vaccines to attend school., Two doses of MMR vaccine are required at admission or transfer for TK /K-12 students.

If there is a case of measles at one of our schools, exposed children who do not have documentation of two doses of MMR vaccine or have a medical exemption will be excluded from attending school for 21 days or until an immunity test confirms they are protected. This is for their protection and to prevent the spread of measles.

Thank you for taking steps to protect yourself, your children, and our schools against measles.