Many schools don't require teachers to be vaccinated against measles

The MMR vaccine is almost 100 percent effective in preventing the disease.

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

published 17 February 2015

The recent measles outbreak, which started at Disneyland in December and has now spread to six states as well as Mexico, has reignited debate about whether parents should be forced to vaccinate their children. But a new report from The Associated Press shows a less-discussed part of the issue: Many states don't have laws requiring teachers to be vaccinated against diseases such as measles.

According to AP, most states offer recommendations for teacher vaccinations, but there are no requirements for teachers to receive them. And a recent measles outbreak at a California high school revealed that the school didn't have its teachers' immunization records on file.