Protecting Your Little Ones from Measles
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. In fact, 9 out of 10 people exposed to measles will catch it, too, if they are unvaccinated, if they have not had the disease before or if they have a problem with their immune system. Even very brief exposure to an infected person in a shared space poses a high risk for unimmunized people. This airborne virus spreads easily and can affect unprotected children—even after the infected individual has left the area. Measles can lead to serious complications, especially for young children, including pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), deafness, intellectual disability, and even death. In fact, 1 in 5 children who contract measles require hospitalization. Measles is a vaccine-preventable infection.
What You Need to Know to Keep Your Child Safe
- Infants under 6 months: Protected by their mother’s antibodies and are unable to receive the vaccine. Consider delaying travel to locations with measles outbreaks to avoid risks of severe illness.
- Infants 6-11 months: Have limited immunity and may need an early MMR vaccine if there’s an outbreak in your area, or if you are traveling with the infant. This should be received at least 2 weeks prior to travel.
- Infants 12 months and older: The first dose is typically given at 12 months of age, with a second dose recommended at 4 years old. Infants 12 months and older should also receive a second dose of the MMR vaccine 28 days after the first dose.
If you’re concerned about measles, planning to travel, or have any questions about your child’s vaccination schedule, we’re here to help. Contact the team at Genesis Pediatrics by calling (585) 426 4100 or use the patient portal, to discuss the best ways to protect your child and ensure their health and safety.
Together, we can work to keep our community safe from preventable diseases like measles.
For more information, please visit this post from HealthyChildren.org from the AAP.
