Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico are shocking and continue to spread, Public health officials say The increase in cases may last for several months.
As of this writing, there have been more than 350 cases in both states, resulting in 42 hospitalizations and two deaths.
With the warm travel season approaching, you may be worried about your own measles vulnerability when you hit the road this spring and summer, even if you’ve been vaccinated.
How safe and effective is the measles vaccine?
Measles – More contagious than influenza or Internet 19, According to Yale Medicine– The nose, coughing and irritating eyes start to set off, then a rash appears, usually starting on the face and upper neck, and then reaching to the hands and feet.
The rash usually disappears after about a week, but in some cases measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, vision and hearing problems, brain swelling and death, death, Explain the World Health Organization.
The best tool to avoid measles, According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventionstill a measles vaccine.
Called MMR vaccine Because it also prevents mumps and rubies, injections are considered safe and effective Medical professionals,,,,, Public health expertsand Scientific research. (So please don’t start with us.)
Standard guidelines recommend the administration of vaccines to children at two doses: one dose at 12-15 months old and the second at ages 4-6 years before the child begins to attend school.
Yale University’s medical assertions that these lenses are 97% of the rest of your life.
And, because what the CDC calls “strong immunity” has become the norm in the United States, the risk of general measles in the United States remains low even in the current outbreak.”
Indeed, “the vast majority of people who are sick in Texas are uninoculated.” Report NPR.
However, there are some vaccinated adults who may want to consider getting a booster, especially if they plan to travel internationally or travel to areas experiencing a measles outbreak.
Who should consider getting a shot with a measles vaccine booster?
If you were born before 1957 (before the widespread use of the measles vaccine), you may have had this disease in childhood and therefore considered natural immunity. State the obvious: You may not need to be vaccinated with something you are immune to.
If you got vaccinated before 1968However, you may have received a less efficient, inactivated measles lens instead of a better live version. So if you haven’t done this, you will need to talk to your doctor about getting a live measles vaccine.
If you get vaccinated between 1968 and 1989According to NPR, you may have only one dose of measles vaccine as a kid, not the two shots most kids have since.
And one dose Already found To be 93% effective against measles, the second dose provides you with more protection.
And if you are part of a higher risk group considered by the CDC, you may need more protection: Students in postdoctoral institutions,,,,, Health care workersand International Traveler ((oops).
Health officials advised all of these people to receive two doses of measles vaccine. So if you only have one, it’s a good time to re-upgrade.
You don’t even have to travel overseas – Americans or New Mexico traveling to West Texas should also consult their immunization records.
Dr. Adam Ratner, a pediatric infectious disease expert, handed it to NPR.If you are traveling to a place where there is an outbreak of activities And you’re not sure you’re going to take two doses, and the second dose may not be crazy. ”
The WHO warned that full vaccination is important for both adults and children, as the most serious complications of measles occur most frequently in people over the age of 30 or under the age of 5.
If you are not sure how much dosage of measles vaccine you receive CDC’s website has some useful tips to track your immunity records.
There are also You can consult the state and local registration form You can even have a blood test to determine if you have measles antibodies.