MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The measles outbreak that started in California has families in the Mid-South asking questions.
Medical professionals are urging parents to get their kids vaccinated, and now some employers are turning their focus to adults who still aren’t vaccinated.
If you work in the healthcare profession, you have to get vaccinated before you can go to work. Now other companies are looking at the same practice as an effort to keep people safe.
Dr. Jon McCullers with LeBonheur Children’s Hospital described the measles as dangerous and deadly.
“It’s one of the most contagious diseases known to man,” he said.
An outbreak that started at Disneyland in California has spread to six other states, leading to more than 100 measles cases across the country.
Doctors are urging families to get their kids vaccinated, and now employers who don’t normally require vaccinations are having the conversation.
Dr. McCullers said, “A lot of companies are taking a pro-active approach and saying hey, we are going to protect our employees.”
Disneyland is urging its staff to get the vaccine, and the University of California will require all students to be vaccinated starting in 2017.
Employment lawyers say there are protections in place so that your boss can’t force you to get a vaccine, but they can strongly recommend you do it and offer free shots at work.
We have yet to see a case of the measles in the Mid-South, but doctors urge that if you think you’ve got the measles, call ahead. There are special procedures to keep everyone safe.
“They are going to bring you through another door, make sure you have a mask on, make sure you aren’t coming into contact with people who could catch the disease from you,” Dr. McCullers said.