With the increase in measles outbreak in West Texas, and to pop up cases across the country, experts say that vaccination is your best protection. And some vaccined adults may require boosters before 1968.
Scott Detro, Host:
A measles outbreak in west Texas is growing rapidly, and with a needle of kindergarten vaccination rates, more communities may be at risk of outbreak. But this is not just those children who should be vaccinated, some adults may also need a booster. Maria Godoy report of NPR.
Maria Godoy, Byline: Measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world. Dr. Paul is the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital, Paul Offet Philadelphia. He says, just look at the current outbreak in West Texas.
Paul offt: I mean, it started, you hear about 14 cases, then you heard about 24 cases, then you had about 48 cases, now you have about 58 cases. They keep saying that it is under control, but it is very difficult to control measles.
Godoy: Now, the best rescue against measles is vaccination. Most people getting sick are ill, and the measles vaccine is safe and highly effective. Here Dr. of Vanderbilat University. William is Shephern.
William Sheffner: If you are vaccinated with two doses of vaccine according to the routine, you have a 95%-flask chance of being fully preserved throughout your life.
Godoy: But there are some adults who should consider shooting another measles.
Sheffner: There are some concerns about vaccinated people with a killed version of this vaccine, which did not work very well.
Godoy: They say that people who have received those early vaccines should reconsider. And if you are not sure of your vaccination status, there is no harm in getting another shot.
Schaffner: You will promote not only measles but also German measles and kanthamala because all three are in a vaccine.
Godoy: If you were vaccinated between 1968 and 1989, you probably got just one dose instead of two which are standard today. Dr. Adam Ronner is a pediatrician infectiologist in New York City. He says, in most cases, that a dose is considered sufficient protection, but exceptions.
Adam Ratner: If you are traveling somewhere where there is an active outbreak and you are not sure you have received two doses, then it may not be crazy to get a second dose.
Godoy: If you live in a place that is experiencing a outbreak, your local health department may recommend a second dose for adults. And the offt says that vaccination of children’s safety is the best way.
Offet: I lived through the 1991 Philadelphia Khasra epidemic, where 1,400 cases and nine deaths occurred over a period of three months. So I have seen that children have been unnecessarily suffering due to the option of not having vaccine. So please vaccinate your children.
Godoy: Maria Godoy, NPR News.
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