January 30, 2015 -- As you may be aware, we received confirmation from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Friday that a Samohi freshman baseball coach had been diagnosed with measles. We notified Samohi families that evening.

When we were made aware of the possibility of this coach having measles prior to his diagnosis, we reviewed immunization records for all baseball players and according to school records, determined all have been immunized against this preventable disease.

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.

While the Department of Public Health is not directing us to take any additional action or to exclude any students from school at this time, SMMUSD joins with county public health officials in urging all students get up to date with all immunizations.

If you have previously signed a waiver, but have since had your child immunized, please contact your school nurse directly to update our records.

If your child is not immunized, please make an appointment with your pediatrician or doctor to have your child immunized, or to verify immunizations are up to date. Additional resources are available:
 
Westside Family Health Center at 1711 Ocean Park Blvd in Santa Monica provides FREE immunizations for children under 18 years old on the first Saturday of each month from 12-2 pm. No appointment is necessary. Visit: www.wfhcenter.org or call 310-450-2191 for more information and clinic hours.

Venice Family Clinic with several centers in Santa Monica and Venice, including at Samohi, provides FREE immunizations for children and adults. No insurance or documentation is required. Appointment required. Visit: www.VeniceFamilyClinic.org or call 310-392-8636 for more information, locations and hours.

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 for more information, office hours and insurance requirements.