Contra Costa Health (CCH) joined Bay Area health officials in urging everyone to get the measles vaccination if they are not sure if they received it or if they did not have measles as a child.Â
The highly contagious virus can cause serious illness and death. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers the best protection against the virus, according to CCH. People ages 12 months to three years old should receive one dose of MMR vaccine, and those ages four or older should receive two doses.
Since March 14, over 300 measles cases have been reported in the U.S., with the largest outbreak among primarily unvaccinated children in Texas and nearby states. Two deaths have been reported as of Friday, the first measles deaths in the U.S. since 2015.
As of March 11, there were five reported measles cases in California, all of which were reported after international travel. There was no evidence of these cases being connected to the Texas outbreak.
Measles is spread when people breathe, talk, cough and sneeze, and a cough or sneeze can allow the virus to linger in indoor air for several hours. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye), followed 2-4 days later by a rash, according to CDC. About one in five unvaccinated people who get measles in the U.S. are hospitalized, and nearly one to three of every 1,000 children who become infected will die from respiratory and neurologic complications, according to CDC.
“Measles presents the greatest risk to children under five years of age, adults over 20 years of age, those who are pregnant, and people with compromised immune systems,” CCH stated.
CCH urged residents to take the MMR vaccine, calling it safe and highly effective. Children ages 12-15 months are recommended to receive a first dose, followed by a second dose between ages 4 and 6. Infants 6-12 months can start vaccination early prior to international travel or travel to an outbreak area. Teens and adults with no evidence of immunity should be vaccinated right away, CCH states. Your medical provider can order a simple blood test to check whether or not you are immune.
One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93 percent effective against measles, and two doses are 97 percent effective, according to CCH. Individuals born between 1957 and 1969 are likely to have received only one dose and should consider getting a second dose. The MMR vaccine protects you for life and is widely available at provider offices, clinics, health systems and pharmacies.
