St Joseph School district officials have confirmed eight cases of chicken pox at Bode Middle School, which qualifies this as an outbreak, and thus parents of Bode students are being informed of requirements from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Letters have been sent home to parents.

More information is available here from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

RN Eileen Duty is the Coordinator of Health Services for the St Joseph School District. Duty says students who have had two doses of the vaccine, or who have had the disease can remain at school. Students who have received just one dose must get the second dose immediately. Students who have not been innoculated, should get their first dose immediately, then get a second dose within four weeks of the first.

Duty points out that if your child has a medical condition that would be complicated by taking the vaccine, you should get a note from your physician, and the child will be allowed to return to class.

Duty tells us they’re most concerned about roughly 300-students whose records don’t indicate they’ve had that second dose of the vaccine. But, she says it’s possible their doctors simply haven’t reported those vaccinations.

The district has made special arrangements with local health care providers to get those kids vaccinated quickly. The school has notified parents of the outbreak and what the law requires.

For more information about chicken pox, click here.