In May 2019, Governor Jay Inslee signed bill EHB 1638, which cracks down on religious and personal exemptions for the MMR vaccine, designed to prevent the spread of diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella. The law also allows students to be barred from attending school if medical records can’t prove they have been immunized before Nov. 1. These measures come in the hopes of preventing a possible health crisis and as a response to the measles outbreak in March.
The law took effect on July 28, but many school districts wish to enforce the law by Nov. School districts, including Northshore, have released statements saying that all students in grades K-12 must have received two doses of the MMR vaccine in order to be participating in school activities according to the Bothell-Kenmore Reporter.
Exclusions for students who did not have their immunizations started by Nov. 1, could stretch into the next couple weeks or until the students have proof of their immunization.
