In Ignacio and Bayfield schools, most, but not all, students have received most of their vaccinations.

That's good news, but it's still not enough to provide the "herd immunity" needed if a measles outbreak came to this area.

Out of Bayfield school district's 1,385 students, 130 are not completely vaccinated, reported Teresa Foutz, a nurse in the Bayfield School District, although some of those students might have had some of their vaccinations.

That's 9.3 percent who are not fully vaccinated.

"I wish it was two percent," she added.

Ignacio's rates fare a little better, at 4.5 percent lacking some or all of their vaccinations.

In Ignacio School District, 36 students out of 794 do not have all of their vaccinations, said Cindy Isham, Ignacio's health services director.

Public health officials say vaccination rates close to 98 percent protect those who cannot get their vaccinations, including infants or those with comprised immune systems, such as cancer patients. Higher vaccination rates provide the "herd immunity" that protects those populations.

But as the memories of measles and polio have receded from public memory, more parents aren't vaccinating their children.

But vaccinations are moving back into the spotlight after outbreaks of measles were reported earlier this year.

There were 102 cases of measles reported in 14 states in January 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the outbreak continues to grow.

Colorado had one confirmed case reported Jan. 5. The majority of people who got measles were unvaccinated.

Measles still is common in many parts of the world including some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa. Measles spreads easily in a community where groups of people are unvaccinated.

The Associated Press reported the death of an unvaccinated toddler from measles in Berlin this week.

According to San Juan Basin Health Department, symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 14 days after a person is infected. Measles typically begins with a high fever; cough; runny nose; and red, watery eyes. Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It spreads to others through coughing and sneezing. A rash appears three to five days after symptoms begin.

The measles virus can live up to two hours on a surface or in the air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. When other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses or mouths, they can become infected. About 90 percent of people who are not immune and are close to a person with measles will become infected. Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash.

One dose of measles vaccine is about 93 percent effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus, and two doses increase effectiveness to about 97 percent. Children should receive one dose of measles vaccine at 12-15 months, and a second dose at 4-6 years of age. All children who have not previously been vaccinated should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Adults who don't have immunity need at least one dose of measles vaccine. 

The health department recommends the following:

"If you're unsure whether you're immune to measles, try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity. If you do not have written documentation of measles immunity, you should get a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. There is no harm in getting another dose of the MMR vaccine even if you already may be immune to measles, or mumps or rubella."

Patients can contact their primary care provider to receive the vaccine. MMR shots are a preventive care benefit for both children and adults covered under the Affordable Care Act, and for most people the immunization will be free. For those who do not have a primary care provider, San Juan Basin Health can provide them by calling 247-5702.