Amid a major measles scare, Santa Monica-Malibu Supt. Sandra Lyon issued a letter to parents this week urging them to have children vaccinated if they have not done so already.
“SMMUSD joins with county public health officials in urging all students get up to date with all immunizations,” Lyon wrote.
Last week, a baseball coach at Santa Monica High was diagnosed with measles. The district then reviewed players’ records and found that each athlete had received their immunizations.
“Had we learned that any team members in contact with the coach had not been vaccinated, under the direction of the public health department, those students could have been required to stay out of school for the 21-day incubation period that goes along with measles,” she told parents.
Malibu is among several areas with lower rates of vaccinations among students. However, overall district vaccination rates were up during the 2013-2014 school year. Totals for the 2014-2015 school year have not yet been made public.Â
Vaccinations are available at these locales:
-Westside Family Health Center at 1711 Ocean Park Blvd in Santa Monica. Free immunizations for children under 18 years old on the first Saturday of each month from 12-2 p.m. Call 310.450.2191 or visit www.wfhcenter.org.Â
-Venice Family Clinic with several centers in Santa Monica and Venice, including at Samohi. Free immunizations for children and adults. No insurance or documentation required. Appointment required. Visit www.VeniceFamilyClinic.org or call 310.392.8636.
-UCLA Health–Malibu at 23815 Stuart Ranch Rd in Malibu provides immunizations to patients. Appointment required. Visit www.uclahealth.org/Malibu or call 310.456.1668.