[MaineSchoolNurse] Measles; Primary Prevention for Maine School Nurses

[DeCato, Sarah]

Measles cases continue to be on the rise in the US, being diagnosed mostly in unvaccinated individuals or those whom have traveled internationally.
Things that can be done from a school nursing primary prevention standpoint starting today:

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Review your students' Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunizations.
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Ensure that each school has an up-to-date list of students who are not currently immunized against each disease. The purpose of the list is to provide an efficient means of identifying non-immunized children in the event of a disease outbreak. Review students in all grade levels in addition to the required reporting of grades K, 7th, and 12th.
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Provide outreach and education to parents/guardians on the topic of MMR immunizations and explain the increased risk if unimmunized with exposure to Measles. Maine CDC<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vaccine/measles.shtml> has resources you may find useful in your communication.
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Coordinate care for vaccine appointments as necessary with students' families.  If access to care is of concern, the Maine Public Health Nurse workforce at the Maine CDC is available to offer a clinic at your school site.  You can contact the  PHN supervisor<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-nursing/districts.shtml> assigned to your area to discuss your immunization clinic needs. Do not hesitate to reach out to them regardless of the number of students that may need immunization access. They are a resource to you.
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Discuss any immunization non-compliant cases with your superintendent, who is responsible for unenrolling students who are not compliant.  Refer to the State of Maine Immunization Requirements for School Children Chapter 261 and Chapter 126  (A joint rule between the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maine Department of Education)<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/immunization/documents/immunization-requirements-for-school-children.pdf> <https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/immunization/documents/immunization-requirements-for-school-children.pdf> for further information.


Data to review:

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2023-2024 Maine School Immunization Report<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/immunization/publications/2024/2023-24%20Maine%20School%20Immunization%20Assessment%20Report.pdf>
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Maine School Specific Immunization Assessment 2023-2024<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/immunization/publications/2024/2023-24%20School%20Vaccination%20Rates.pdf>
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Johns Hopkins Measles Tracker<https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dd314001921f4d2eac160f89ded0b49a>
ArcGIS Dashboards<https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dd314001921f4d2eac160f89ded0b49a>
ArcGIS Dashboards
gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com


Related Article:

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Decoding Vaccine Communication: What Parents and Caregivers Want from Schools and Healthcare Professionals<https://www.physiciansweekly.com/decoding-vaccine-communication-what-parents-caregivers-want-from-schools-healthcare-professionals/>

Other Resources:

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Public Health Collaboration/Maine Department of Education/Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<https://www.maine.gov/doe/index.php/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines#:~:text=Public%20Health%20Collaboration>
School Health Service | Department of Education - Maine<https://www.maine.gov/doe/index.php/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines#:~:text=Public%20Health%20Collaboration>
School health services staff can help all students with preventive care such as flu shots, vision and hearing screening, and acute and emergency care. School health services staff are also responsible for coordinating care by communicating with the student’s family and health care providers so ...
www.maine.gov

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March 14, 2025 Maine CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) re: Measles<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/newhan.shtml>
Health Alert Network System (HAN) | MeCDC | Maine DHHS<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/newhan.shtml>
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine
www.maine.gov



_____________________________________


Sarah DeCato, MSN, RN, NCSN (She/Her)
School Nurse Specialist-Coordinated School Health
Office of School and Student Supports
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Email: sarah.decato at maine.gov<mailto:sarah.decato at maine.gov>
Phone: 207-441-3812
Maine DOE<http://www.maine.gov/doe> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/mdoenews> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en> | Maine DOE Newsroom<https://mainedoenews.net/> |Maine Guidelines for School<https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines> <https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines> Health<https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines>


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