With news of the measles outbreak in West Texas, and now a case in Rockwall County here in North Texas, many RISD parents have contacted their school nurse with questions. The purpose of this post is to provide information and resources to parents who have questions or concerns about protecting their child from measles.
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune or vaccinated will also become infected with the measles virus.
The incubation period of measles is about two weeks from exposure to onset of rash. People are contagious from four days before onset of rash to four days after the appearance of rash. The rash usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk. Other symptoms include fever (higher than 101 degrees), cough, runny nose, and sore eyes.
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. About 1 out of 5 people who get measles will be hospitalized. The best protection for your child against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- MMR 1st dose at 12-15 months
- MMR 2nd dose at 4-6 years
Where can information about the MMR vaccine be found?
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes information here: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination | CDC. Parents are also encouraged to contact their family physician or pediatrician with questions about the MMR vaccine.
How does a person know if they have measles immunity?
The Texas Department of State Health Services has published guidelines to help people answer this question.
If my child is not vaccinated and someone at my schools gets measles, what would happen?
Please see the Dallas County Health & Human Services parent message that explains state requirements for mandatory exclusion from school.
If my child has received the MMR vaccine, does that mean they can’t get measles?
According to the CDC, “the MMR vaccine is very effective at protecting people against measles, mumps, and rubella, and preventing the complications caused by these diseases. People who receive MMR vaccination according to the U.S. vaccination schedule are usually considered protected for life against measles and rubella. While MMR provides effective protection against mumps for most people, immunity against mumps may decrease over time and some people may no longer be protected against mumps later in life. An additional dose may be needed if you are at risk because of a mumps outbreak.
One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, 78% effective against mumps, and 97% effective against rubella.
Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles and 88% effective against mumps.
MMR is an attenuated (weakened) live virus vaccine. This means that after injection, the viruses cause a harmless infection in the vaccinated person with very few, if any, symptoms before they are eliminated from the body. The person’s immune system fights the infection caused by these weakened viruses, and immunity (the body’s protection from the virus) develops.
Some people who get two doses of MMR vaccine may still get measles, mumps, or rubella if they are exposed to the viruses that cause these diseases. Experts aren’t sure why; it could be that their immune systems didn’t respond as well as they should have to the vaccine or their immune system’s ability to fight the infection decreased over time. However, disease symptoms are generally milder in vaccinated people.
About 3 out of 100 people who get two doses of MMR vaccine will get measles if exposed to the virus. However, they are more likely to have a milder illness, and are also less likely to spread the disease to other people.”
If I have previously opted my child out from receiving the MMR vaccine and I’ve changed my mind, who should I notify?
Updated vaccination information should be shared with your RISD school nurse. As a reminder, individual student vaccination records are confidential in RISD.
Where can I get an MMR vaccine in Dallas County?
Your family’s medical provider is likely to offer the MMR vaccine. In addition, Dallas County Health and Human services lists vaccination clinics on their website.
