Earlier this year, you may have seen media coverage about potential measles exposures at northern Virginia airports. Unfortunately, these notices may become more common as we face the realities of decreased vaccine coverage across the world. Vaccine rates significantly decreased during the pandemic, including rates for measles vaccinations. This decrease in vaccine rates was associated with an astonishing 40% increase in global measles deaths in 2022 (CDC). Thankfully, we have not seen a measles case in our districts in years, and we hope that by working together we can keep it that way.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that is spread through breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected. Symptoms include a fever, a runny nose, and an itchy rash of red-brown spots. About 20% of people with measles become sick enough to need to be hospitalized. And even with the best medical care, some people may still die of measles complications such as pneumonia or brain swelling. The most at-risk groups include babies, young children, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system.

The good news is that measles is easily preventable. The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect your family. Global measle vaccination programs have saved over 50 million lives in the past 20 years (CDC). Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide lifetime protection. Most people typically receive their first dose around age one and their second dose before starting kindergarten (between ages 4-6). We recommend that all adults born since 1957 who have not been vaccinated or have not had measles get vaccinated. If you are not sure whether you have been vaccinated, it is safe to get another measles vaccine.

While it is concerning that we continue to have outbreaks of measles in the United States, we have the tools to do something about it. Most of these outbreaks have occurred when someone traveling from a higher risk country brings the measles virus into communities that have pockets of people who are not vaccinated.  We know that if we have effective routine immunization programs, we can prevent these outbreaks. It is far less dangerous and much easier to ensure that our children are protected by being up-to-date on their vaccines than to try to catch up once they have been exposed to a disease. Optimizing our vaccination rates is also the safest way to protect infants younger than 12 months old who are too young to be vaccinated, and our immunocompromised loved ones.

Vaccines are one of public health’s great success stories. Make sure that you and your loved ones are vaccinated to protect from serious diseases that are easily spread. Fortunately, it is easier than ever to get vaccinated: at your doctor’s office, your local pharmacy, or your local health department. Call us for an appointment to protect yourself against measles and many other preventable diseases.