WASHINGTON — A day after the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Tom Frieden, warned about a potentially “large outbreak” of measles, doctors are renewing their call for immunizations against the disease.
“It is extremely contagious, it’s a virus that spreads by respiratory droplets, so if anybody has the disease and they cough or sneeze on you then it’s very likely that the person who is non-vaccinated can contract the disease easily,” says Dr. Avni Jain, a primary care physician with Adventist Health Care/Adventist Medical Group.
“It’s basically the unvaccinated people who keep the virus alive.”
Children are vaccinated twice against measles, mumps and rubella. Once at 12 months and again around age 4.
“The vaccine is safe, effective and long-lasting,” says Dr. Linda Fu, a pediatrician at the Children’s National Medical Center. “As long as you have evidence of immunity or gotten the vaccine in childhood then you are protected,” she says.
“However, there are some kids who are in their teenage years, for whatever reason, may have missed their booster shot. It’s very important to see that a child or even an adult either had the disease or received the two necessary vaccinations,” says Dr. Fu.
Anyone uncertain about his or her own immunity or a child’s immunity can be tested.
“It’s a simple blood test that we can do to check for MMR immunity,” says Dr. Jain who advises anyone who is found lacking immunity to immediately get vaccinated.
In some cases it’s possible that a grownup or child properly immunized against measles could still get the disease.
“If you were one of those vaccine non-responders and you were exposed to a confirmed case of measles you could get the disease … so I would highly recommend that if you are unsure about your vaccination status that you talk to your physician right away,” says Dr. Jain.
Both doctors also dismiss any concern that the MMR vaccine can cause autism in children.
“The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics have studied that thoroughly and they believe there is no risk,” says Dr. Jain.
“There’s no link between the MMR vaccine or any vaccine and autism. I, myself, have gotten my children vaccinated. I wouldn’t do that if I thought there was any risk,” says Dr. Fu.
“It’s important for everyone to get vaccinated so that we can protect the community.”
