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.
