Make Sure You’re Protected Against Measles Before Outbreak Reaches Utah
(SALT LAKE COUNTY)—With measles cases now occurring in multiple states and the tragic death of a child in Texas, Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) is urging people to ensure they’re protected against the potentially serious disease.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known. It is so easily spread that people who are not immune have a 90% chance of getting the disease if they are near an infected person. Someone with measles can spread it to others even before they know they are ill, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
The best protection against measles is to be immunized with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, which is most commonly the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine prevent more than 97 percent of measles infections. In the remaining 3 percent of circumstances—when a fully vaccinated person catches measles—the symptoms are milder, the illness is shorter and the infected person is less likely to spread the disease to others. Unvaccinated people, including children too young to be vaccinated, are more likely to have severe complications from a measles infection.
“For decades, the MMR vaccine has been proven safe and effective,” said Dorothy Adams, executive director of SLCoHD. “Ensuring now that you and your loved ones are adequately protected will help prevent serious illness in our community if this current multistate measles outbreak spreads to Utah.”
Measles vaccine recommendations vary based on age and vaccination history:
- Children should receive two doses of measles vaccine: one dose at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years.
- Adults born before 1957 generally do not need to be vaccinated because they are likely already immune to measles due to widespread infection and illness before the measles vaccine became available in 1963.
- Adults who were vaccinated before 1968 should have a second dose because the vaccine used from 1963–1967 was less effective than the current vaccine, which became available in 1968.
- Adults who were vaccinated in 1968 or later are considered fully protected whether they have one or two doses, though certain higher risk groups (college students, healthcare workers, international travelers) should have two doses.
Preventing a measles outbreak in a community generally requires at least 95% of people in the community to be immune to it, either through vaccination or having had the disease at some point in their lives. The number of adults in Salt Lake County who are protected against measles is unknown, but the most recent school immunization data indicates that only 92.3% of kindergartners in Salt Lake County are up to date on measles vaccination.
“A high level of community immunity is essential to protect infants too young to be vaccinated, as well as people who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons,” continued Adams. “Vaccination is not just about you, but also about protecting the people around you.”
To find out if you or your child need a dose of measles vaccine, talk to your health care provider or check your immunization record. Most Utahns’ immunization records are available via the secure Docket app or website. The MMR vaccine is widely available at local pharmacies, doctor’s offices or SLCoHD immunization clinics; call 385-468-SHOT to schedule a vaccination appointment at a health department clinic.
Measles symptoms usually start 7 to 14 days after infection and include fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. Tiny white spots typically appear inside the mouth 2 to 3 days after symptoms begin. Then, 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms, a rash appears. The rash usually begins as flat, red spots at the hairline or on the face, which then spread down the body.
Many people with measles will have mild symptoms, but about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles will need to be hospitalized. Young children, pregnant women and people who have weakened immune systems are more likely to have serious problems from measles.
If you think you have measles or learn you’ve been around someone with measles, contact your health care provider immediately. Tell them about your measles concern so they can make special arrangements to see you without putting other people at risk.
For more information about measles, visit CDC.gov/measles.