Washington reported 22 measles cases in the first two months of this year—already double the total for all of 2025. Because measles is highly contagious and spreads before visible symptoms appear, even a single case can disrupt school operations. Advance preparation helps minimize absenteeism and keep schools running smoothly.
Steps school leaders can take now:
- Confirm contact information for your local health jurisdiction (reach out to WFIS if needed)
- Ask staff to verify proof of measles immunity (MMR vaccine or titer)
- Maintain a secure record of student and staff immunity status
- Train staff to recognize measles symptoms
- Identify an isolation space and ensure masks are available
- Prepare parent communication templates and review response protocols
Plan for potential disruption:
During a confirmed exposure, individuals without proof of immunity may be required to remain off-campus for 21 days or longer. Because staff may not have easy access to childhood immunization records, encouraging verification now can help prevent last-minute staffing gaps.
Schools can use this simple Staff MMR Immunization History template to collect documentation from school personnel. The Department of Health offers these templates for tracking school immunization status in an Excel or Word Format, which should be updated regularly and secured in accordance with HIPAA.
A small amount of proactive planning now can significantly reduce disruption and help maintain a safe, stable school environment if an exposure situation arises.
