Get the facts:
Did you know 228 cases of measles have been confirmed in 12 states between January 1 and March 7 in 2019? The states that have reported cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Measles is a very contagious viral infection that, prior to the development of the first vaccine in 1963, infected nearly every child in the United States. In the years after the vaccine was licensed, measles decreased by more than 95% and continued to decrease until declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. Unfortunately, measles continues in many other countries and is brought into the U.S. by unvaccinated travelers.
Measles can spread quickly in communities where people are not vaccinated. Children and anyone else who are not protected against measles are at risk of getting infected.
You can protect your child against measles with a combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The MMR vaccine is proven to be safe and effective.
CDC recommends that children get two doses:
- the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and
- the second dose before entering school at 4 through 6 years of age.
Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.
Take Action. Get Vaccinated.
Call 888-217-3904, option #2 to make an appointment at your local DHD#10 office. DHD#10 can bill most insurances to cover the cost of vaccination. Don’t let the cost of vaccines prevent you from receiving a vaccination. DHD#10 uses a sliding-fee scale for the cost of vaccine administration and has programs available to cover the vaccine for children and adults who qualify.
Residents with questions about vaccines can visit IVaccinate.org. For more information about measles activity in Michigan, visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html.