Final answer:
True, in the case of a school outbreak of a disease like measles, unvaccinated students can be excluded from school to control the spread of the infection. This practice is based on the principles of herd immunity and is supported by public health policies that show the effectiveness of mandatory vaccination in preventing outbreaks.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the event of a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak, such as measles, it is true that health authorities, like the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, have the authority to exclude unvaccinated children from school for the safety of the community. This action is taken to minimize the spread of the disease and protect those who are either too young to be vaccinated, cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, or whose vaccinations are not up to date. The previously mentioned 18-day period after the last case has been identified corresponds with the incubation period of the measles, during which the virus can be transmitted.
What the health department is leveraging here is the concept of herd immunity, which requires a certain percentage of the population to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease. This concept is crucial for protecting those who are most vulnerable. Moreover, the resurgence of diseases like measles can often be tied to declining vaccination rates, highlighting the importance of getting vaccinated not just for one's own health, but also for the health of the community.
Public health initiatives and mandatory vaccination policies have been proven effective in preventing outbreaks of diseases that were once common. For instances, the rigorous vaccination laws in West Virginia and Mississippi have resulted in the absence of measles cases since the early 1990s. Similarly, after California tightened its vaccination requirements following a measles outbreak, the state saw improvements in the control of vaccine-preventable diseases.