MEMPHIS, Tenn. — While there is no need to panic over the current Measles outbreak in Shelby County, but you do want to be well-informed.
Just because you were immunized as a child, you may not be protected anymore.
As of April 26, there are six confirmed cases.
That compares to nine in the entire state of Tennessee from 2004-2016.
A Measles Hotline has been set up at in Shelby County, you can call 901-222-9299 for information.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable viral infection that starts with a high fever, runny nose, cough and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the head and gradually moves down the body.
The rash illness lasts about a week. It is usually a relatively mild illness but can result in complications, including pneumonia or inflammation of the brain, that require hospitalization.
Measles can spread easily through the air to people who are not vaccinated or who have not had measles illness before.
If you’re an adult who was immunized as a child, that doesn’t mean you are still protected.
According to the CDC, adults who are at a high risk of measles exposure, including students in post-high school institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers, need two doses of MMR vaccine unless they have evidence of immunity.
The CDC recommends children receiving two doses of MMR vaccine–the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Giving the second dose of the vaccine earlier is allowed at any time as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.
The CDC has a lot of information about Measles on their website.
The information below is provided by the Centers for Disease Control:
What is the best age to give the second dose of MMR vaccine?
Children should receive two doses of MMR vaccine–the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Giving the second dose of the vaccine earlier is allowed at any time as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.
As an adult, do I need the MMR vaccine?
Most adults need one dose of MMR vaccine unless they have evidence of measles immunity. However, adults who are at a high risk of measles exposure, including students in post-high school institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers, need two doses of MMR vaccine unless they have evidence of immunity.
Acceptable evidence of immunity against measles includes at least one of the following:
- written documentation of past vaccination:
- with one or more doses of measles-containing vaccine administered on or after the first birthday for adults not at high risk
- with two doses of measles-containing vaccine for adults at high risk, including college students in post-high school institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers
- blood tests that show they are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella
- laboratory confirmation that they had measles, mumps, and rubella
- birth before 1957 (and are presumed immune by age)
A Measles Hotline has been set up at 901-222-9299.
