Florida Surgeon General Allows Unvaccinated Kids to Attend School With Measles Outbreak

Published on February 22, 2024

Florida’s health department is allowing children unvaccinated against measles to attend a school where an outbreak has been registered, pointing out the high rate of immunity in the community. Six students from Florida’s Manatee Bay Elementary School, Weston, have contracted measles. On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) released a letter from Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, the state’s surgeon general, dismissing the need to quarantine children at homes. When measles is detected at schools, it is “normally recommended that individuals without history of prior infection or vaccination stay home for up to 21 days. This is the period of time that the virus can be transmitted,” the letter said, addressing parents and guardians....