Recently, we have learned of measles cases in Oregon. This can be very scary, and many of you have reached out with questions. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions and our answers to them. We hope you find this information helpful. If there’s anything else we can answer, please get in touch! We’re happy to be your family’s go-to resource for advice and peace of mind. Take care out there!
How can I check if my child is vaccinated for measles?
Look on their shot record at home or in MyHealth for completion of at least 1 vaccine called Measles, MMR, or MMRV. To view their record in MyHealth, follow these steps:
1. Open the Menu.
2. Choose the Health Summary.
3. Select the Immunizations Tab.
If you do not have a MyHealth account or cannot find your child’s immunization record, call us to check. If you would like to sign up for MyHealth, please complete the MyHealth Proxy Access Request form.
I think my child may have been exposed to measles. What do I do?
STAY HOME and call your pediatrician’s office. We’ll help you monitor symptoms and discuss what to do next. It is very important to stay indoors and not potentially infect others. Call us and we will likely do a video visit to screen for symptoms and other concerns. At that point, we can plan the next course of action.
If your child is in significant distress, call 911 immediately.
How effective is the measles vaccine?
The measles vaccine is very effective. One dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus. Two doses are about 97% effective.
Could I still get measles if I am fully vaccinated?
Very few people (about 3 out of 100) who get 2 doses of measles vaccine will still get measles if exposed to the virus. Experts aren’t sure why. It could be that their immune systems didn’t respond as well as they should have to the vaccine. But we have good news! Fully vaccinated people who get measles are much more likely to have a milder illness AND are way less likely to spread the disease to others.
My child is less than 1 year old. Can they be vaccinated for measles early?
MMR is a live virus vaccine that works best (creates the strongest immune response) when given at 12 months of age or older. It is safe to give an MMR vaccine to infants who are between 6 and 12 months of age, but the younger they are, the less likely they are to benefit from it. Infants who receive MMR before 12 months might receive protection during the outbreak, but will still need the standard doses given after 12 months.
Metropolitan Pediatrics, Oregon Public Health, and the CDC are not currently recommending early MMR #1 for children less than 1 year of age, but if you still want to have your child get an extra MMR early, please call our office for an appointment with your pediatrician, so that we can discuss the potential risks and benefits further. Also, please note that most insurance companies will not pay for an MMR vaccine given early without a change of recommendation from the CDC or public health (except for the overseas travel mentioned below).
My child is older than 1 year and has had their first measles vaccine. Can they get their second vaccine now, even though they are not yet 4 years old?
The second MMR vaccine is safe and effective if the child is older than 1 year old, and it has been at least 28 days from the first vaccine. Metropolitan Pediatrics and the CDC are not currently recommending giving the second vaccine early, but if you want your child to have the vaccine now, you can call our office and ask to speak to our nurses for more information. If you do not have further questions, and you know you want your child to get the second MMR now, you can call our office and schedule a shot-only visit, as long as it has been at least 28 days from the previous vaccine.
Should I be concerned if we are going to travel?
If your family is traveling overseas, the vaccine recommendations are a little different:
- Babies 6 to 11 months old should receive 1 dose of MMR vaccine before leaving.
- Children 12 months of age and older should receive 2 doses of MMR vaccine (separated by at least 28 days) before departure.
How long does it take for measles symptoms to appear?
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through contact with virus-infected saliva or mucus that gets into the air when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. It takes about 10-15 days for symptoms like cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, red eyes, and sneezing to show up after being exposed to the virus. Over the next few days, a splotchy, red rash will develop, starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body, accompanied by a high fever (104° to 105.8° F).
How long is a measles-infected person contagious?
A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about 8 days, starting 4 days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for 4 days.
How long does it take the measles vaccine to be effective?
It takes 10-14 days for the measles vaccine to be fully effective.
If my child received the measles vaccine early (before 1 year of age), why do they still need 2 more shots?
Even if we give the vaccine early, the immune system is not developed enough to guarantee long-term immunity, so we’ll need to start again with the first dose at 1 year of age. The second dose is given at 4 years.
