Below you will find answers from our doctors to the most common questions regarding measles.
A: The local health department and the pediatricians at Allegro continue to recommend routine MMR vaccination: the first dose at 12 months of age, and the second dose at 4 years old.
A: The providers at Allegro Pediatrics follow the health department and CDC guidelines for all immunization schedules. The current recommendation is for patients to follow the usual timing for MMR vaccines. Public Health only recommends an earlier dose if your child’s risk is significantly changed. For example, if you travel internationally. The same would be true if measles spreads to large numbers of people in our community.
A: Babies under 12 months, of vaccinated moms, are protected during their first year by antibodies passed to them during the pregnancy. The best protection for babies after birth is to surround them with a community that is already immune through vaccination. Make sure all household members and everyone caring for your infant on a regular basis is fully immunized. As possible, limit contact for your infant with those that have not been immunized or may not be immune to measles. Parents who were fully vaccinated as children do not need to get a booster. Adults unsure of their vaccine status should contact their primary care provider.
A: You can check your child’s vaccine status by speaking with an Allegro nurse, or by sending a message through the patient portal. You may also be able to find this information through the state immunization registry online at WA.MyIR.net.
A: As always, we strongly recommend that everyone routinely vaccinate, wash their hands, and maintain healthy eating and sleep habits as a way of caring for yourselves and others.
Washington state law requires school age children to receive specific immunizations, including MMR, in order to attend school.
A: Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. It mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes.