As we move into summer and welcome a whole new population to our campus, including students, faculty, staff, and family members from locations around the world, it is especially important to protect yourself and the campus community. Although the likelihood of an outbreak on campus remains low, the impact would be high for students, faculty, and staff. 

Below you will find the following important information:

• What is Measles?
• Measles Management
• Proof of Immunity

What is Measles?

Measles is a highly infectious virus that causes fever, cough, conjunctivitis, runny nose, a classic rash, and sometimes ear infections and diarrhea. It can live for up to two hours in airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.  

While two doses of MMR vaccine are considered 97 percent effective at preventing measles and one dose is about 93 percent effective, nonimmunized people have a high likelihood of becoming infected and spreading measles to others. 

Measles Management

In the event of measles cases or an outbreak, Middlebury will enact protocols based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local Departments of Health, including exclusion which means removing non-immune people from work and programs exclusion from school and/or work for 21 days after the last case. This includes people who have been exempted from measles vaccination for valid medical or religious reasons. Due to the short, intensive nature of our summer programs and the length of the exclusion period, students who are excluded from summer programs will not be eligible to return to their program.

Please note that while it is possible for unimmunized people to avoid exclusion if given measles vaccine within 72 hours after exposure, measles vaccine supply and administration cannot be guaranteed. Post exposure vaccine options will be overseen and administered by local Departments of Health.

Proof of Immunity

All incoming students, faculty, guests, and staff as well as all current faculty and staff who are working or studying on a Middlebury campus must demonstrate documented proof of immunityfor measles, such as blood test results showing antibody against measles (Measles IgG test) or a valid record of immunization. See requirements and examples. Middlebury undergraduates do not need to complete the form as their immunization history on file will transfer from the undergraduate College. Individuals born prior to January 1, 1957, are assumed to be immune to measles and do not have to provide proof of immunity, but they will still need to provide an attestation of their date of birth using our secure online form.

The CDC has advice about how to get copies of vaccination records in the U.S. The MMR vaccine is readily available in the U.S. through primary care offices, community health centers, and retail pharmacies. Most U.S. health insurance plans cover the costs of vaccinations and/or antibody testing, but you should confirm if that is true for your insurance plan and whether there are associated costs if you are seeking vaccination or lab tests to confirm immunity.

Partners and Children

Partners/spouses and children of summer faculty and staff who are living on a Middlebury campus must also have documented proof of immunity. Please obtain this documentation as soon as possible so that you can submit this information to Middlebury.

Exemptions

Exemptions are for those who should not take the vaccine for medical or religious reasons. Please note that an exemption will not prevent exclusion from campus during an outbreak. Individuals with medical exemptions should create and maintain a plan for immediate exclusion in the event of a measles outbreak on campus. 

Summer students must complete and upload the student exemption form, which includes information about departing from campus in the case of an exclusion, quarantine, or isolation should they contract measles. 

Faculty, staff, visitors, family members and all other non-students should upload documentation from their healthcare provider(s) (for medical exemptions) or a personal attestation document (religious exemption) to the secure online form.

Non-compliance

Options for students who arrive non-compliant include: 

1. Providing appropriate documentation upon arrival, verified live bystaff (must be in English or accompanied by certified English translation)  
2. Obtaining on site vaccination available at students’ expense
3. Departing immediately at own expense with any refund being consistent with the published refund schedules

Students who choose options 1 or 2 will be granted access to their housing only after completing them. Students who choose option 3 forfeit their enrollment in their program, though they are welcome to apply again in the future.