A measles outbreak that has sickened more than 250 people (as of press time) in western regions of Texas has brought this highly contagious disease back into the headlines. The news hit even closer to home in early March, when the Virginia Department of Health reported that an individual with a confirmed case of measles had travelled through Dulles International Airport on March 5.

For parents who are worried about these reports, there is good news:

“Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR [measles, mumps and rubella] vaccine,” said Allison Balmes-John, Population Health Manager for the Rappahannock Area Health District.

Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, thanks to widespread use of the MMR vaccine. This vaccine is typically given to children in two doses: one at around 12 months of age, and a second dose before a child enters kindergarten, or around age 4 to 6. Balmes-John said parents should consult their children’s primary care provider to stay on top of vaccine schedules. Virginia law requires two doses of the MMR vaccine before entry to public kindergarten.

Before the measles vaccine became available in 1963, nearly all children got measles by the time they were 15 years old. This came with grave consequences. Among the estimated 3 to 4 million annual measles cases reported before 1963, an estimated 400 to 500 people died, 48,000 were hospitalized and 1,000 suffered encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Critical Protection

The west Texas measles outbreak had led to 34 hospitalizations and the death of one unvaccinated school-aged child as of mid-March.

“This is one of the most contagious respiratory illnesses that we track,” Balmes-John said.

She said roughly 90% of people who are exposed to measles and have not been vaccinated will contract the virus, which can linger in the air for up to two hours—making it far more spreadable than Covid-19 and influenza.

With travel for spring breaks and holidays ongoing, the risk to unvaccinated individuals only increases.

That’s why the protection vaccines provide is so important, Balmes-John said. Two doses of the vaccine have been found to be 97% effective in preventing measles upon exposure, she said. Even a young child who has only received one dose of the vaccine can expect 93% protection from the virus.

Protecting the Vulnerable

Medical milestones like eradicating measles in the U.S. are made possible by high community vaccine rates—so everybody plays a role in keeping the community healthy. Balmes-John said Virginia measles vaccination rates among kindergarteners are close to the 95% recommended to provide herd immunity. That level of community immunity helps ensure that infants who aren’t yet old enough to receive the vaccine aren’t at risk of this serious illness.

The Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns caused some families to miss vaccine schedules—so if you aren’t sure what vaccines your family members have received, now is a good time to check with your healthcare provider.

Vaccine is Safe, Time-Tested

The MMR vaccine has been administered in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and has been repeatedly proven to be safe and effective.

Balmes-John said that the farther away Americans get from the time period when nearly all children contracted measles, the easier it is to forget what a terrible disease it is.

“About one in five people in the U.S. who are not vaccinated who get measles are going to be hospitalized, and that’s a pretty big number,” she said, adding that an estimated one in 20 children who get measles will come down with pneumonia—the most common cause of death from measles.

“Having a full understanding of the risks is an important consideration when people are making healthcare decisions,” she said. “Your healthcare provider can walk through all of the risks on a more individual level.”

For more information, visit vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.

 

The MMR Vaccine Offers Critical Protection

-          It’s never too late to get protection. Parents of unvaccinated children should consult their pediatrician or the Rappahannock Area Health District about scheduling the vaccine doses.

-          Two doses of MMR are required for entry to public kindergarten in Virginia, so parents should check with healthcare providers to ensure they are up-to-date as kindergarten registration is already underway in our area.

-          Unvaccinated women who are considering trying to conceive should get the vaccine before they become pregnant. Pregnant women cannot receive the MMR vaccine, and it is recommended that women not become pregnant for at least 4 weeks after being vaccinated.

-          Individuals born before 1957 do not need to be vaccinated, as measles was so widespread during their childhoods that they are believed to have received immunity already.

-          Individuals vaccinated between 1963 and 1967 may want to talk to their healthcare provider about getting an updated vaccine, as the vaccine was improved after 1967.

-          The MMR vaccine offers lifetime protection from measles. No booster is needed.

-          Vitamin A is not a substitute for vaccination. While vitamin A may be used to treat children with severe measles, such as those hospitalized, it should be administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Overuse of vitamin A can lead to toxicity and cause damage to the liver, bones, central nervous system, and skin. Pregnant women should avoid taking high levels of vitamin A as it has been linked to severe birth defects.