IDAHO — A global and domestic increase in measles was reported, and the Idaho North Central District Public Health is urging everyone traveling internationally to be current on their MMR vaccination.
According to Public Health, all U.S. residents who plan to travel internationally should be current on their MMR vaccinations. Idaho clinicians are advised to ensure that children are current on all routine immunizations.
“Measles (rubeola) is highly contagious; one person infected with measles can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact. From January 1 to March 14, 2024, CDC has been notified of 58 confirmed U.S. cases of measles across 17 jurisdictions, compared to 58 total cases reported the entire year in 2023,” Idaho North Central District Public Health said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially reported the increase.
According to Public Health, 54 of the 58 cases reported in 2024 were linked to international travel, and most people infected did not receive an MMR vaccine.
The Idaho North Central District Public Health recommends the following:
“Children who are not traveling internationally should receive their first dose of MMR at age 12 to 15 months and their second dose at 4 to 6 years. All U.S. residents older than age six months without evidence of immunity who are planning to travel internationally should receive MMR vaccine prior to departure.Infants aged 6 through 11 months should receive one dose of MMR vaccine before departure. Infants who receive a dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should receive two more doses of MMR vaccine, the first of which should be administered when the child is age 12 through 15 months and the second at least 28 days later.Children aged 12 months or older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.Teenagers and adults without evidence of measles immunity should receive two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.Evidence of measles immunity for international travelers is at least one of the following: 1) birth before 1957, 2) documented administration of two doses of live measles virus vaccine (MMR, MMRV, or other measles-containing vaccine), or 3) laboratory (serologic) proof of immunity (measles IgG) or laboratory confirmation of disease.”
