What is measles?
Measles is very contagious virus that can cause hospitalization and even death. Symptoms of measles includes fever, sore throat or runny nose and rash.
Prevention
There is no medication to treat measles. The MMR vaccine is routinely given in 2 doses at 12-15 months and 4-5 years of age. The MMR vaccine is 93-95% effective after the first dose and 99% effective after the 2nd dose. MMR vaccine can be given between 6-11 months to children traveling internationally or during local outbreaks of measles. The 2nd MMR vaccine dose can be given as early as 4 weeks from the first dose when there is a local outbreak. Currently there is NOT an outbreak in Hennepin County and so altered vaccine schedule outside of the routine schedule is not currently recommended. Please contact the clinic if you think you have been exposed or are having symptoms of measles.
Resource Links
- Minnesota Department of Health: Click Here
- Healthy Children: Measles: What Parents Need to Know
- Healthy Children: How to Protect Your Children During a Measles Outbreak