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ABC News
ABC News
Health
David Weber

School hit by measles scare accepts vaccination offer

An alternative private school at the centre of a measles scare in Perth's south has agreed to have a Health Department vaccination clinic on-site.

A student at Perth Waldorf School at Bibra Lake was diagnosed with the disease last week.

The Steiner school has asked Year 10 students who have not been vaccinated to stay home until August 14.

Unvaccinated students who attended a party held by the infected student's younger brother, and students who were on a bus, were also asked not to attend school.

A total of 19 students were at home.

Jean-Michel David resigned as school administrator recently.

'It is not for us to give medical advice'

In a letter to staff and parents, acting administrator Mark Phillips said "our process in responding to misinformed allegations has been slowed down due to the recent resignation of the school administrator".

"To be clear, our approach is not to discourage vaccination but to follow the advice given by the West Australian Department of Health.

"We are a school; it is not for us to give medical advice. We leave it to parents to make medical decisions for their children," he said.

Mr Phillips also said Perth Waldorf School had always been part of the School Based Immunisation Program provided by the Health Department.

"We are fully cooperative with the department in all regards, including regular programmed visits from nurses of the Health Department to provide vaccination opportunities".

Earlier this week, the WA branch of the AMA said schools with an objection to vaccinations should be stripped of federal funding.

The Health Department said it was working with the school to organise the clinic, which would make vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) available.

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