Public Health Info: Preventing the Spread of Measles and Other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases at Camps

Published:
June 18, 2024

What You Need To Know

This notice is to remind children’s summer camps in New Jersey of the importance of:

  • immunization in the camp setting;
  • immediate reporting of any suspected or confirmed vaccine-preventable disease to local health department; and,
  • the current threat of measles in the United States.

There has been an increase in the number of cases of vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States over the last several years, including those which have been linked to foreign travel, spread on school and college campuses, or spread at children’s summer camps. There have been documented cases and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the past several years that have originated at summer camps.

Settings, such as camps, where there is prolonged close contact with other individuals can promote the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. The best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases is broad vaccination coverage. The Youth Camp Safety Standards requires camp operators to ensure that all campers and staff under the age of 18 are immunized pursuant New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 8:57-4 and adhere to the requirements regarding medical and/or religious exemptions.

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) strongly recommends all other individuals working at the camp are age-appropriately vaccinated. Recently, there has been an increase of measles cases in the United States and around the globe, including two cases in New Jersey in 2024. To date, in 2024, there have been more measles cases in the United States than there have been in all of 2023. Many measles cases are linked to international travel, and the majority are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Ninety percent of people with close contact with an infected person will get measles if they are not vaccinated. Please ensure that all staff and campers are immunized against measles and provide education to staff to be alert to the signs and symptoms of measles.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CAMPERS
According to New Jersey Youth Camp Standards N.J.A.C. 8:25-5.5, all campers must be immunized with the vaccinations required for child-care center, preschool, or school attendance, as appropriate for the camper’s age, according to the immunization schedule set forth at Immunization of Pupils in School, N.J.A.C. 8:57-4. It also requires that the camp director shall maintain on file at the youth camp all immunization records, and medical and/or religious exemptions for each camper during the camp season. Please review the NJ School Attendance Vaccine Requirement Charts for Child Care/Preschool and K-12. Any child failing to meet immunization requirements may be excluded, in consultation with the local health department, during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak, or threatened outbreak, as determined by the Commissioner, Department of Health, or his or her designee.

Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) vaccine is required in New Jersey for all entering 6th graders who are 11 years of age or older. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a second dose at age 16. Those who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease should discuss with their medical provider, as ACIP recommends routine vaccination with MenACWY (for persons aged ≥2 months) and serogroup B meningococcal vaccine MenB (for persons aged ≥10 years).

IMMUNIZATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STAFF
For the optimal health and safety of the camp community, the New Jersey Department of Health strongly recommends that all staff, including international staff, meet the age-appropriate immunization schedule as set forth by the ACIP. Staff refers to everyone who works at or is present in the camp setting, including directors, employees, counselors, all other staff, volunteers, and visitors. Staff > 18 years of age can use the CDC Vaccine Assessment Tool to determine which vaccines are needed. Among others, adults may be recommended to receive vaccines to protect against COVID-19, MMR, Tdap, varicella, hepatitis B and meningococcal disease.

MAINTAINING VACCINATION RECORDS
Camps are required to maintain on file immunization records for all campers. Camps should also maintain current, complete immunization records for all camp staff. Individuals can access official immunization records directly from the Docket ® app. To facilitate a timely and appropriate public health response and minimize any disruptions at summer camp in the event of a suspected or confirmed case of a vaccine-preventable disease, camps should maintain a detailed list of staff, campers, and other individuals who are not fully immunized or protected against vaccine-preventable diseases, as these individuals are at risk of getting sick if exposed. This list of susceptible individuals should clearly identify which disease(s) an individual is at risk of contracting. This immunization and health information should be readily available as camps will need this information to quickly identify individuals at risk if a suspected or confirmed case of a vaccine-preventable disease occurs during the summer camp season.

EDUCATION FOR STAFF
The camp health director or other healthcare provider should discuss with staff the symptoms of vaccine-preventable diseases prior to the camp season so they can assist in promptly identifying anyone with signs of illness and reporting to the camp health director or camp director in accordance with established procedures.

REPORTING VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES
All suspected or confirmed communicable diseases, including measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, are required by to be reported to the local health department where the camp is located. Camps should be familiar with disease reporting requirements, including which diseases are immediately reportable.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION SUMMARY
Please take the following five steps to reduce the risk for an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease at your camp:

  1. Amplify the importance of age-appropriate immunization for all staff and campers, especially against measles.
  2. Review and maintain up-to-date immunization records for all campers and staff, including a list of those with known exemptions or individuals who lack evidence of immunity.
  3. Ensure that staff are educated about the signs and symptoms of measles and other vaccine- preventable diseases.
  4. Develop a policy that includes contact information for the immediate notification of the local health department of any suspected or confirmed case of vaccine-preventable disease.
  5. Maintain a plan for isolating suspected or confirmed cases and quarantining exposed individuals if there are suspected or confirmed cases in the camp until the individual(s) leaves the camp. Consult with your local health department on how to isolate or quarantine safely. Ensuring all campers, staff, and volunteers have age-appropriate immunization is an issue of public health and camps should take an active role alongside the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help stop the spread of measles and other vaccine- preventable diseases and to ensure the health and safety of its participants. In addition to vaccinations, implementing basic disease prevention steps for your staff and campers, such as hand washing, cough etiquette, not sharing drinks and eating utensils, and cleaning/disinfecting frequently used surfaces, can help prevent the spread of disease. Camps should utilize resources below to plan for possible cases of measles and other vaccine preventable diseases. Thank you for your partnership and efforts to keep camps free of vaccine-preventable diseases and provide a safe and healthy summer camp season for all.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES: