21 Mar Bay Area Health Officials Encourage Measles Vaccinations

Children under the age of 5 are among those to whom measles presents the greatest risk, but the MMR vaccine offers safe and effective protection. (“Toddler receiving a vaccine in his arm” by Heather Hazzan for Self Magazine via Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license)

CC Pulse Staff Report

Health officials across the Bay Area, including Contra Costa Health, say while the risk of exposure to measles is currently low, getting the measles vaccine — which CCH describes as safe and highly effective — is strongly encouraged for anyone not fully vaccinated.

CCH specifically is concerned about individuals who are not sure if they have been vaccinated or if unsure that they had measles as a child. Plus, the health agency asks that everyone be aware of the symptoms of measles, particularly if they have been exposed or traveled where people are reportedly ill with the virus.

The highly contagious measles virus can cause serious illness and death, and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine offers the best protection against the virus, CCH officials said. Each member of a family who is 12 months to 3 years old should be vaccinated with one dose of MMR vaccine. Each person age 4 or older should have two doses of MMR vaccine.

In mid-March, more than 300 measles cases were reported in the United States. This includes an outbreak among primarily unvaccinated children in Texas and nearby states. There have been two deaths, the first measles fatalities in the United States since 2015.

There were five reported measles cases in California as of March 11. The five cases were separately reported after international travel with no evidence they are connected to the outbreak in Texas.

Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. If an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus can linger in indoor air for several hours. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, or pink eye, followed by a rash two to four days later.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that about one in five unvaccinated people in the U.S. who contract measles are hospitalized. Nearly one to three out of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

Measles presents the greatest risk to children under 5 years of age, adults over 20, those who are pregnant, and people with compromised immune systems, the CDC reports.

The MMR vaccine is recommended for children aged 12-15 months, with a second dose administered between ages 4 and 6 years. Teenagers and adults with no evidence of immunity should be vaccinated right away. A medical provider can order a simple blood test to check whether or not you are immune.

One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, and two doses are 97% effective. Individuals born between 1957 and 1969 are likely to have received only one dose and should consider getting a second dose. The MMR vaccine protects you for life and is widely available at health provider offices, clinics and pharmacies.

Questions about the MMR vaccine or you and your children’s immunization records should be directed to your health care provider, CCH says.