Southern Oregon Pediatrics is dedicated to supporting the health and safety of children and families throughout our region. Measles was recently detected in wastewater in Jackson County. We recognize that many parents may have questions about how to best protect their children. We want our community to know that our practice is actively preparing and taking thoughtful precautions to keep our patients safe.

Although there are currently no confirmed measles cases in our immediate area as of May 2026, we believe prevention and preparedness are essential. Southern Oregon Pediatrics has already put enhanced safety measures in place so families can continue to feel confident seeking care at our clinic.

How We Are Preparing

Our approach emphasizes prevention, communication and readiness:

Immunized Staff: Every provider and staff member at Southern Oregon Pediatrics has confirmed immunity to measles through vaccination. Maintaining a fully protected healthcare team helps reduce the risk of transmission within our clinic.

Close Coordination with Public Health Officials: We are in regular contact with Jackson County public health leadership to stay informed about any developments related to measles activity in the region. This allows us to respond quickly and activate additional safety procedures if circumstances change.

Prepared Response Plan: Our clinic has established a comprehensive measles response protocol that has been reviewed with staff to ensure everyone understands their role in maintaining patient safety and minimizing exposure risks.

Visit Screening and Safety Measures

To further protect our patients, we are enhancing screening procedures for all appointments. When families call to schedule visits, our team may review MMR vaccine status and ask questions about symptoms or possible exposure. These steps help us safely coordinate care and reduce the likelihood of contact between potentially contagious individuals and other patients in shared clinic spaces.

Our priority is to provide compassionate, high-quality care while protecting infants, children and families from preventable illness.

What Families Should Know

We are monitoring the situation carefully and will continue to update our patients and families as needed. Families should continue to feel confident bringing children in for routine medical care, behavioral health appointments and recommended vaccinations.

If measles cases are identified locally, Southern Oregon Pediatrics will promptly communicate any additional recommendations or temporary office procedures related to our measles preparedness plan.

If your child is 12 months or older and has not yet received their first MMR vaccine, we strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment. Even one dose of the vaccine provides significant protection against measles and its potentially serious complications.