Measles Resurgence
Aspirus Health's Guidance for Families
4/8/2024
Jason Chan, MD, Aspirus Pediatrician
As of March 21,
2024, there have
been 64 reported cases of measles across the U.S. in 17 states. Several
cases have been reported in the Midwest, including 28 cases in Illinois, three
in Minnesota, and one case in Michigan.
In light of these
developments, Aspirus Health is urging parents and caregivers to remain
vigilant and proactive in preventing the potential spread of measles.
Vaccination remains the most effective measure to protect against measles and
other preventable diseases, ensuring the health and well-being of children and
the entire family.
"Keeping up
with your shots is very, very important,” says Jason Chan,
MD, Aspirus Pediatrician. “Getting your shots protects yourself, but it
also protects others around you who can’t get the shots, including babies and
women who are pregnant.”
Medical experts
recommend the MMR vaccine, which is a vaccine that protects against three
infectious diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. It is typically administered
as a series of two doses during childhood, with the first dose given around 12
to 15 months of age and the second dose between four to six years of age.
According to the
CDC, about
one in five unvaccinated people in the US who get measles are hospitalized.
In children, as many as one out of every 20 children with measles gets
pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in children.
Pregnant women who
have not had the MMR vaccine have higher rates of premature birth and a higher
risk for a low-birth-weight baby.
“This vaccine has
been in use for decades and we know it is safe and exceedingly effective,”
assures Dr. Chan. He adds that for those who get the full two-dose course, “the
MMR vaccine is 97 percent effective in protecting people from getting sick from
the measles.”
Aspirus Health
encourages parents and caregivers to consult with their providers regarding
vaccination schedules for their children and ensure they are adequately
protected. Additionally, adults of any age who have not received two doses of
MMR vaccine are candidates for the vaccine as well.
For more information
about vaccine recommendations per age groups, contact your primary care
provider. To find one, visit
aspirus.org.
To learn more about
measles and the MMR vaccine, the CDC’s website offers the “Top Things Parents
Need To Know.”
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