Issaquah SD Has Very High Measles Vaccination Rates: State

ISSAQUAH, WA — Issaquah High School was closed Thursday related to a measles exposure at Issaquah High School. But the chance that an Issaquah student will get sick might be relatively low due to the district's very high immunization rates.

According to state records, Issaquah has the No. 27 highest vaccination rate in Washington out of the state's 296 school districts. Of the 21,001 students enrolled as of last May, 20,063 were up to date on all vaccines, including measles.

Each year, the state Department of Health reviews immunization certifications for students in every public district in the state. The records show that Issaquah has the best immunization rate among school districts with more than 20,000 students in the entire state.

Here are some other facts from state data on immunizations as of May 1, 2018:

• Issauquah has the 76th lowest rate of students not vaccinated for measles at 1.8 percent
• The district is No. 194 out of 296 districts for students using any vaccine exemption
• Issaquah is No. 186 for share of students with a religious exemption
• Issaquah is No. 189 for students using a personal exemption
• Issaquah is No. 102 for share of students with a medical exemption

King County Public Health revealed on Wednesday that a woman with measles had been at Issaquah High School on May 6. The district later confirmed that the woman is a staff member at the school.

Still, the district is advising parents to watch for measles symptoms, which develop one to three weeks after exposure. Those include a rash, watery and red eyes, a cough, and fever.

"If you believe your child may have measles, please call their health care provider — do not go in. If you must take your child to the Emergency Room, please call ahead to let them know you are coming and that you suspect measles. If your child has not been fully immunized with the MMR vaccine, please talk with your health care provider about getting the immunization," the district said in a statement Wednesday.

Issaquah High School will be open on Friday, May 17, school officials said.