School Exclusions During Selected Pertussis Outbreaks, Oregon, 2017-2018

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Immunization

Background:

• Pertussis (whooping cough) outbreaks pose risks to school communities.
• Vaccination status significantly impacts disease transmission and severity.
• School exclusion policies are a public health measure during outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of excluding undervaccinated students during pertussis outbreaks.
• To assess the effectiveness of school exclusion policies in preventing pertussis transmission.
• To quantify the school days missed by excluded students.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of pertussis outbreaks in Oregon schools during the 2017-2018 school year.
• Identification of under- or unvaccinated exposed students.
• Tracking of vaccination acceptance, student exclusions, and subsequent case reports.

Main Results:

• 15 Oregon schools excluded undervaccinated students during pertussis outbreaks.
• Of 243 exposed students, 134 accepted vaccination, and 87 were excluded.
• Excluded students missed 975.5 school days; none subsequently reported as pertussis cases.

Conclusions:

• Excluding undervaccinated students during pertussis outbreaks is an effective strategy to prevent disease spread.
• School exclusion policies, while resulting in missed school days, protect both the excluded students and the wider school community.
• This approach highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent outbreaks and minimize educational disruption.