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OLYMPIA — As the American measles outbreak surpasses 800 confirmed cases across 24 states including Washington, the state Department of Health is urging parents and caregivers to get their children two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
Adults are also strongly encouraged to verify their own measles vaccination status by checking their immunization records online at MyIRmobile.com, or by speaking with their provider.
Childhood immunization rates in the state have dropped since the pandemic, putting communities at risk for outbreaks, according to a DOH news release. Some data show that Washington kindergarteners have lower rates of MMR coverage than Texas or New Mexico, both of which are struggling with a measles outbreak.
Besides causing fever and rash, measles can sometimes cause life-threatening pneumonia and brain inflammation.
“The MMR vaccine is our best defense against measles,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, DOH health officer, in the news release. “And we need to get more people up to date on vaccination to prevent a similar outbreak in Washington.”
Children should receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months old, and a second dose between 4 to 6 years old, according to the news release.
Adults who have received two documented doses of the MMR vaccine do not need to receive additional doses. According to the news release, it is especially important that high-risk adults such as healthcare professionals, college students, those with human immunodeficiency virus infection or those preparing for international travel confirm they have received two doses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared measles eliminated from the U.S. after high vaccination rates stopped its spread within the country, with the only cases from contracting it abroad.
Declining vaccination rates in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, have aided the disease’s current spread.
