Head of Local Christian School “Strongly Encourages” Measles Immunizations

The principal of a prominent local kindergarten through eighth grade Christian School has written to parents of his student body to urge that all students be immunized against measles regardless of the “opt out” issues being debated by many.

Dr. Steven Gray, head of Pasadena Christian School on North Los Robles Avenue, said on his personal blog today that “opting out has become a very ‘hot’ moral, medical and political issue with strong arguments on all sides.”

“Until the courts and school districts resolve this issue,” Dr. Gray told the school’s parents, “Pasadena Christian [School]  will ‘strongly’ encourage that ALL students complete ALL recommended vaccinations.”

Dr. Gray noted that “97% of all of our PCS students are vaccinated.”

Here is his letter in full:

Dear Parents:

As I am sure you are all aware there has been a recent outbreak of measles in California. While the numbers of those infected has remained small, only 21 in Los Angeles County, I want to share with you Pasadena Christian School’s preparedness in the unlikely event that someone on our campus should become infected.

Our protocol is based on recommendations from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, the Association of Christian Schools International and our local public schools.

MMR Vaccine

If your child has received the recommended two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, there is an approximate 99% effect in preventing measles.

While the California Health and Safety Code requires vaccinations for all entering students and transfer students, parents may choose to opt-out for various reasons. Opting out has become a very “hot” moral, medical and political issue with strong arguments on all sides. Until the courts and school districts resolve this issue, Pasadena Christian will “strongly” encourage that ALL students complete ALL recommended vaccinations. Currently 97% of all of our PCS students are vaccinated. According to health professionals this percentage is well above the threshold that will provide outstanding protection for our student body.

As a private school Pasadena Christian School can require all students to be vaccinated as a condition for enrollment, however, the County of Los Angeles, local public schools and the Association of Christian Schools International does not currently recommend such action. We will continue to follow this recommendation and closely monitor any updates.

Campus Outbreak

If a student or staff member becomes infected with a suspected or confirmed case of the Measles virus, PCS, as mandated by the Department of Public Health, will exclude that student/staff member until he/she is no longer contagious and is physically able to return to school. In addition, all unimmunized (and partially immunized) students will be excluded from school for a period of 21 days or until an immunity test confirms that they are protected.

Conclusion

As an administration and faculty, we remain highly vigilant in monitoring the health of our students and staff. In addition, we are in close contact with both local and state agencies. As new requirements and recommendations are communicated to us, and changes are made to our policies and protocol, we will immediately notify all of our parents.

Thank you,

Steven Gray, Ph.D. Head-of-School

Pasadena Christian School