2015 Measles Outbreak in California
A measles outbreak was confirmed in California in January 2015. Below are the facts about measles and how you can protect your family.
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Measles Facts
- Measles is a highly infectious, airborne disease.
- People can be infectious with measles for nine days.
- Measles typically begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.
- Within a few days a red rash appears, usually first on the face and then spreads downward to the rest of the body.
Vaccinations Are Safe & Protect Against Measles
Childhood vaccinations do not cause autism and all children should be vaccinated. California law allows some children to skip immunizations if a parent submits a personal beliefs exemption (PBE) or medical exemption (PME) at enrollment. Other children may be under-vaccinated on the “condition” they complete remaining vaccinations when due. These children remain under-vaccinated if there is no follow-up.
See vaccination requirements by age from the CDPH: Child Care/Preschool | Kindergarten | 7th Grade.
Back-to-School Vaccinations
The California School Immunization Law requires that children receive a series of immunizations before entry to schools, child care centers, and family child care homes. The law also requires schools, child care centers, and family child care homes to enforce immunization requirements, maintain immunization records, and submit reports.
- Resources on School Immunization from the CDPH: Child Care & Pre-School; K-12; 7th Grade; College.
- Guide to Immunizations Required for School Entry: Grades K-12, CDPH, and for Pre-Teens, HHS.
- Handy Worksheet for Parents to Track Their Child’s Immunizations and Development Milestones, CDC
- California Immunization Handbook for Schools and Child Care Programs, CDPH
- California School Immunization Record, CDPH
- Other Immunization Resources for Providers, as well as Parents of Pre-School, K-12, and 7th Grade children, CDPH
- School Starts Soon: Is Your Child Fully Immunized?, CDC
Targeted Vaccination Campaigns
In addition to required back to school vaccinations, immunization against other communicable diseases is also recommended for many children and youth. The following pages contain information on targeted vaccination.