Measles is highly contagious and can be deadly. In January of this year alone, 84 people in 14 different states have been diagnosed in the U.S. It's important to get vaccinated to reduce your risk of becoming ill. For the no vaccine crowd, they are putting their own children at risk by not having them vaccinated as well endangering the health of others.
But here is the other news with the current outbreak of measles in the U.S. A small number of people are becoming ill even though they've been vaccinated with the recommended two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. This tells us that for some, even after having their vaccines, they are not immune.
Perhaps it never took or, they were immune at one time but now their immunity has waned and is no longer present. Luckily, for most people (studies have shown approximately 95 %) two vaccines provide immunity for many years.
If you're not sure of your immunity status, call your health care provider. You can get a blood test (called a titer) to show whether or not your are immune to measles (and mumps and rubella too). If you're not immune, you can get another dose of MMR vaccine. Follow your physician's recommendations regarding any follow up tests and vaccines.
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| Public Domain photo taken by Jim Goodson, MPH, courtesy of the CDC. |
But here is the other news with the current outbreak of measles in the U.S. A small number of people are becoming ill even though they've been vaccinated with the recommended two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. This tells us that for some, even after having their vaccines, they are not immune.
Perhaps it never took or, they were immune at one time but now their immunity has waned and is no longer present. Luckily, for most people (studies have shown approximately 95 %) two vaccines provide immunity for many years.
If you're not sure of your immunity status, call your health care provider. You can get a blood test (called a titer) to show whether or not your are immune to measles (and mumps and rubella too). If you're not immune, you can get another dose of MMR vaccine. Follow your physician's recommendations regarding any follow up tests and vaccines.
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