Families whose children need vaccinations before the school year begins should contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible. If your family does not have a regular healthcare provider, the Holyoke Health Center is accepting new patients. Families can call 413-420-2200 to learn more, schedule an appointment, or get help applying for health insurance.
HPS Director of Health, Wellness, and Nursing Cynthia Carbone reminds families that Massachusetts law requires children to be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, chickenpox (varicella), and meningitis before they can attend school. Families must provide proof of these required vaccinations. Students who do not have the required documentation may not be allowed to attend school until the school receives it.
Students who are new to the district must also meet these state vaccination requirements before starting school.
Although vaccinations are required for most students, Massachusetts does allow medical and religious exemptions in certain situations. However, if there is an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, students who are not fully vaccinated, including those with an approved exemption, may need to stay home from school until it is safe for them to return.
Staying up to date on vaccinations is especially important because measles cases have increased across the country, including in Massachusetts. As of the third week of July, more than 2,300 measles cases had been reported in the United States this year.
“Many people don't realize that with a disease like measles, a single case at school is considered an outbreak,” Mrs. Carbone said. “If this happens, students and staff who are not protected may have to stay home from school. Depending on the disease, this could be as long as three to four weeks.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily from person to person. It can be serious, especially for babies and young children.
Here are some important facts about measles:
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after it is spread, even if the infected person has left the area.
Close to 90 percent of all unvaccinated people will become infected if they are exposed to the measles virus.
People who are not vaccinated are at much higher risk of getting measles and developing serious complications.
“The MMR vaccine provides the best protection against measles and its complications,” Mrs. Carbone said. “Knowing the signs of measles and getting medical care quickly can help prevent the virus from spreading and reduce the risk of serious illness.”
If you have questions about vaccination requirements or your child's immunization records, your child’s school nurse is happy to help. Please don't hesitate to reach out.