Recognizing the growing concern around measles outbreaks across the country and their potential impact on Missouri, the Missouri Association of School Nurses (MASN) is committed to providing you with the support and education you need. To this end, we are pleased to announce the MASN Measles Talks Town Halls, beginning in May. The Measles Talks Town Halls may last between 30-60 minutes, and will be less structured than the normal continuing education presentations. Due to the evolving urgency of information dissemination, we WILL NOT be able to provide nursing contact hours for these events. Invite your friends; ALL Missouri school nurses are welcome! Registration is recommended, so you will receive timely updates and reminders about this event.
These town halls will bring together experts to discuss critical aspects of the current measles situation. Our initial sessions will include:
Part 1: Missouri Surveillance
Date: Monday, May 5th at 7:00 pm
Register here
An overview of immunization rate surveillance and herd immunity with Lynelle Paro, Chief of the Bureau of Immunizations at DHSS. Lynelle will guide us through the Missouri School Immunization Rates Dashboard and share county-specific fact sheets on kindergarten measles vaccination rates. Addition! John Bos, MPH, Chief of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control & Prevention at DHSS will join the conversation. He will discuss current measles status in MO & the US. He will also review the public health response to a case of measles, including school response.
Part 2: Epidemiology in Action
Date: Wednesday, May 14th at 6:00 pm
A comprehensive look at the epidemiology of measles, including its transmission, clinical presentation, disease course, and possible complications. We are honored to host Dr. Jennifer Goldman and Dr. Jennifer Schuster from Children’s Mercy Kansas City for this crucial session.
Part 3: Stories & Strategies
Date: Thursday, May 22nd at 6:00 pm
This is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow school nurses from across the country who have firsthand experience with measles outbreaks. In this informal meeting, they will share their stories, challenges, and successful management approaches. Addition! School nurses from DC, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, New Hampshire, New York and Idaho have agreed to share their experiences with us.
Part 4: Prevention through Understanding & Addressing Vaccine Concerns
Date: TBD
Participants will explore the multifaceted reasons behind vaccine hesitancy, including individual beliefs, misinformation, social influences, and trust in healthcare systems. We will delve into effective communication strategies for addressing patient concerns, countering misinformation with evidence-based information, and building trust to promote vaccine confidence.
We appreciate your patience as we finalize the scheduling for these last-minute Town Halls as we end the school year. Please continue to check our website under virtual learning and your email for updates as soon as they become available. Feel free to share with school nurse colleagues in Missouri.