As measles cases rise in a dozen states, Indianapolis Public Schools are asking students to get vaccinated before spring break.
“There is an increased risk of measles exposure due to out-of-state travel,” Megan Carlson, director of health services for IPS, said in a March 13 news release.
Measles, once considered to be eliminated in the U.S. through vaccination, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious complications, especially in young children. Symptoms include rash, high fever and inflamed eyes.
More than 250 measles cases have been confirmed across 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Indiana has no reported cases.
Indiana students are required to be vaccinated for measles with the MMR vaccine, though IPS said about 1,130 students in district-managed schools do not have a measles vaccination on file.
About 256 of those students had an exemption, Carlson said. Indiana allows parents to opt their children out of required vaccinations for medical or religious reasons.
If an unvaccinated student is exposed, Carlson said, they cannot attend school for 21 days.
Anti-vaccine sentiment is growing in Indiana, doctors say, due to mistrust and misinformation from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Marion County, about 86% of children ages 1 to 3 were vaccinated for measles, according to Indiana Department of Health data — which is lower than the national average of 91% coverage.
IPS vaccine coordinators will share more information about the U.S. outbreak and vaccination with students and families next week. You can find out if you need a measles booster based on your birth year.
The district will offer five vaccination clinics leading up to spring break:
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17 at Indiana Immunization Coalition, 6919 E. 10th St., Building C, Suite 2. Open to all, walk-ins welcome.
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 19 at Daniel Webster School 46, 1450 S. Reisner St. Clinic for School 46 students only. Consent required.
- 4 to 7 p.m. March 20 at Arsenal Tech High School, 1500 E. Michigan St. Open to all IPS students. Consent required.
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 22 at Indiana Immunization Coalition, 6919 E. 10th St., Building C, Suite 2. Open to all. Parent or guardian presence required for people under 18.
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 at Indiana Immunization Coalition, 6919 E. 10th St., Building C, Suite 2. Open to all, walk-ins welcome.
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at 317-721-7648 or email maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.
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