Health Officials Urge Measles Vaccination Amid Rising Cases

“Vaccine is very important,” said Secretaries of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. medical community — that the best way to protect yourself from measles is to get the vaccine. He supports the MMR vaccine, which prevents measles, mumps and rubella. This support is more crucial than ever, as ongoing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show confirmed measles cases in the United States have reached 607.

With the MMR vaccine, a live virus vaccine that’s been deployed since 1976, public acceptance has been deeply engrained. Most adults born after 1957 were likely vaccinated against these diseases as children. Some could have received an inactivated virus vaccine that was more harmful from 1963 to 1967. Kennedy is careful to stress that people need to check their immunization records. This is particularly important for planning since the real number of cases may be higher than what’s been officially reported.

For anyone who is unsure of their immunity, public health experts advise getting a blood test to check whether there are measles antibodies present. The Immunoglobulin G (IgG) blood test can be used to assess immunity, with a high enough level of IgG antibodies showing strong protection against the virus.

Kennedy went on to double down on the idea that the MMR vaccine is indeed “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.” Especially vulnerable populations, particularly those at higher risk of exposure, need to consider receiving two doses of the vaccine,” he stated. This is critically important for those things for which people haven’t yet been vaccinated.

“The best way to ensure protection against infection.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Health officials point out that the vast majority of adults are properly vaccinated. They recommend that high-risk people seek advice from a health care professional about their vaccination requirements. Dr. Cutler underscored the need for more customized strategies to facilitate vaccination. He suggested that some populations, such as children with incomplete vaccination (one dose), adults vaccinated with inactivated measles vaccine, high-risk adults potentially exposed to measles infection, or persons without immunity as determined by serological testing may require a booster.