Concerned about the Measles and the Measles Vaccination?

What should I do if I think my child was exposed to measles?

If your child has been exposed to measles, immediately call your pediatrician, health care provider or Arkansas Children's. If your child is not vaccinated, the doctor may recommend a measles vaccine, which can prevent infection and complications if given within 3 days of exposure to the virus. Measles immune globulin may be recommended for children who cannot receive a measles vaccine and can prevent infection up to 6 days after exposure.

How safe and effective is the measles vaccine, and when and where can I get it?

There is a strong correlation between the recent decrease in vaccinations in the U.S. and the rise in the number of measles cases.

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccines are safe. Common side effects include local pain and redness at the injection site, fever, mild rash and temporary joint pain. The MMRV vaccine is associated with a slight increase in the risk of febrile seizures occurring 8-14 days after vaccination in children younger than 7 years. A febrile seizure sometimes occurs in young, healthy children after a fever. They typically last less than a few minutes and rarely indicate more serious health issues.

There is no evidence supporting the theory about a link between the MMR or MMRV vaccines and autism.

The MMR and MMRV vaccines are very effective. One dose of the vaccine is 93% effective in preventing infection, and two doses are 97% effective. These vaccines are even more effective in preventing the severe complications of measles. MMR or MMRV vaccine is recommended at 12 months of age, with a booster vaccine given at 4-6 years of age. Once a child has received their second dose of the vaccine, they are considered “fully vaccinated” for measles, mumps, rubella (with the MMR) and measles, mumps, rubella and varicella with the MMRV.

What are the complications of measles?

Minor complications include ear infections and diarrhea. More severe but less common complications include pneumonia, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and death.

• 1 in 5 children with measles are sick enough to need hospitalization
• 1 in 20 children with measles gets pneumonia
• Approximately 1 to 3 in 1,000 children who get measles die from their infection

These complications are most common in infants, unvaccinated individuals and people with weakened immune systems.

What is measles, and how does it spread?

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. It is most commonly transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and cause infection for up to 2 hours after an infected person has been in an enclosed area. It can also be spread through direct contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person. A person can become infected by touching their eyes, nose or mouth after touching something contaminated with the virus. Hand washing is a helpful tool in slowing the spread of the virus, but vaccination is the only proven method of protection.

What are the symptoms of measles infection?

Measles starts with:

• fever
• cough
• runny nose
• red or watery eyes

These symptoms are followed by a rash, which typically appears 3-5 days after the onset of symptoms.

Symptoms most often appear 7-14 days after exposure to someone with the virus.

Who is at risk for measles?

People who have not received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine are at the highest risk of measles infection. The infection can be serious in all age groups, but the following groups are at highest risk:

• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults older than 20 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer (like leukemia), autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus), organ or stem cell transplantation, HIV infection or other conditions.

How can I prevent my child from getting measles?

The best way to protect your child against measles is with the MMR or MMRV vaccines.

Could my child still get measles if they are fully vaccinated?

Very few children—about three out of 100—who get two measles vaccines will get measles when exposed to the virus, and the likelihood of further complications is low.

Can my child receive the MMR or MMRV vaccine before they are 12 months of age?

Children can receive the MMR vaccine as young as 6 months of age. However, this is generally only recommended when traveling internationally to high-risk areas or within the U.S. to an area with reported measles cases. Talk to your health care provider if your child needs an early vaccination. The MMRV vaccine should not be given to children less than 12 months of age.

My child has already received their first MMR or MMRV vaccine. Do I have to wait until they are four years old for them to receive the second vaccine?

No, a second MMR vaccine can be given as soon as 28 days after the first, and a second MMRV vaccine can be given as soon as three months after the first. We recommend this early vaccination schedule when traveling internationally to high-risk areas or within the U.S. to an area with reported measles cases.

What if my child is younger than 6 months and not eligible for vaccination?

If you are breastfeeding and have been vaccinated against measles, your breastmilk can provide antibodies to protect your child. Frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with others who are coughing or ill may also help protect your child.

Can vitamin A help protect my child from measles?

No. Vitamin A does not protect your child from measles. It is used to help treat patients with measles. However, one can overdose from vitamin A, so one should only take vitamin A as prescribed by a licensed health care professional.