Dear NAP Families,
As you have likely seen in the media, there continue to be growing outbreaks of measles in the United States. The largest is centered in South Carolina but there has now been at least one case in Massachusetts (Boston area). In preparation for possible cases in our community, NAP has decided to make the following changes to our office protocols:
1. Any patient over the age of 15 months who has not received their routine MMR vaccine will no longer be able to book appointments through the MyChart portal. Instead, they will need to call and speak with a member of our appointment team and/or triage team so they can confirm there are no symptoms consistent with measles infection, specifically fever with a rash.
2. Any patient over the age of 15 months who has not received an MMR vaccine, and who presents for an appointment with a fever and a rash, will be required to wait in their car in the parking lot for a medical provider to evaluate them before being allowed into the building.
As vaccine-preventable illnesses continue to increase due to vaccine misinformation and unscientific policy changes, NAP must be prepared to protect the patients and families that visit our offices. We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and may need to make further policy changes in the future.
The MMR vaccine is safe and incredibly effective in preventing measles, mumps, and rubella, all of which can cause life threatening or life limiting illness. If your child has not yet received their MMR vaccine and is due for this immunization (given at ages 1 and 4), please call our office right away to schedule a nurse visit so that we can partner in best protecting your child. If your child is unable to receive the MMR vaccine for medical reasons, please contact your PCP to discuss how you can partner together to best protect them.
Take care and stay well,
Northampton Area Pediatrics