An outbreak of measles in West Texas continues to spread. And with vaccination rates for kindergarten children dropping across the country, more communities may be at risk for outbreaks.
But it’s not just children who need to be vaccinated. Infectious disease experts say some adults may also need to be revaccinated.
Measles can spread incredibly quickly — it is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, more so than the flu, polio, COVID, or any other infectious disease.
Last week, West Texas reported 14 cases. This week, there were 90 cases.
According to experts, the best defense against measles is vaccination. The vast majority of people who became ill in Texas are unvaccinated. And the measles vaccine is highly effective, so much so that the disease was virtually eradicated in the U.S. in 2000.
Vaccine Booster
Public health experts say there are some adults who should consider revaccination. This includes older adults who were born after 1957 and were vaccinated before 1968.
This is because the early versions of the measles vaccine were made from an inactivated (dead) virus, which did not work particularly well. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that anyone vaccinated before 1968 receive at least one dose of the current vaccine.
Before the first measles vaccines were developed in the 1960s, nearly everyone contracted the disease during childhood. So, it is presumed that people born before 1957 have natural immunity.
If you were vaccinated between 1968 and 1989, you likely received only one dose of the measles vaccine instead of the two doses that are standard today. However, one dose alone is highly effective and, for most people, provides more than enough protection, experts say.
It’s worth ensuring that you are protected, as adults over 20 are more likely to develop complications from measles, which can include pneumonia and brain swelling.
In the case of children, measles can also be dangerous — if not deadly. About 1 in 20 children with measles will have pneumonia, and 1 in 1,000 will develop encephalitis, or brain swelling — which can lead to death or cause deafness or intellectual disability.
Low Vaccination Rates Among Children
Across the country, vaccination rates in kindergarten have fallen below the 95% threshold that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say is necessary to prevent community outbreaks. In some parts of the U.S., the rates are much lower. This includes Gaines County, Texas, the epicenter of the state’s outbreak, where the vaccination rate is 80%.
Source: NPR