Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) has announced that measles is an evolving public health risk in Iowa and the surrounding states. Measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash. Symptoms can be intense and can worsen to require hospitalization and can even cause death.
The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination series is included as part of standard childhood vaccines. During the outbreak, public health officials are strongly recommending an accelerated MMR vaccination schedule to rapidly protect young children, especially those between the ages of 6 and 11 months.
Andy Goodner, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System family medicine physician at WinnMed says, “Measles is the most contagious virus you are likely to encounter. If you are not immunized and are exposed, you have over a 90% chance of becoming infected. Measles is airborne and can linger in a room for several hours after an infected person has been there.” He adds, “Now that measles has been confirmed in the area, it is hard to know for sure where or when your children might be exposed. Vaccination is very effective at preventing measles, but kids under age 1 don’t routinely get this vaccine and so are unprotected. However, in times when their risk of exposure is high, the CDC authorizes early dosing to provide them the same protection at an earlier age. This greatly reduces their chance of getting measles or measles related complications.”
During an outbreak, the timing between MMR doses can be safely compressed. Temporary guidelines include:
The MMR vaccine remains safe and 97% effective against measles with two doses.
Dr. Goodner says, “The reason we are seeing measles now is because vaccination rates have dropped enough that there are now people that are not immune to infection and spread the disease. The best ways to stop the spread are to find those infected and isolate them, and to vaccinate those that are not immune.” Speaking of the benefits of vaccination, Dr. Goodner continues, “Vaccination can keep your child from getting sick from measles. Vaccination also saves you the inconvenience of quarantining 21 days if exposed and missing a lot of school or work to care for children at home. It also protects children from measles related complications such pneumonia (lung infection), a 1 in 1000 chance of encephalitis (brain infection), or a rare, life-threatening condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis that occurs 7-10 years after recovery from measles that can occur in 1 in 600 kids under 1 that are infected. Measles vaccines are safe and serious side effects are extremely rare, much rarer than the complications from measles. Hundreds of millions have received these vaccines world-wide.”
WinnMed Decorah, Ossian and Mabel Clinics are offering MMR Dose 0, 1 and 2 vaccines. Call to schedule the vaccine appointment as early as possible to ensure maximum protection for your young and/or unvaccinated children.
The “extra” dose (Dose 0), as well as vaccines in the accelerated schedule, are generally covered by insurance. Call your carrier to confirm coverage details. If unsure of your child’s vaccination status, families should consult their local health department or provider office to review vaccination records.
