VACCINATE AGAINST MEASLES

It is very important that children and teens receive the recommended vaccinations on time.  Please see the health library on this website for details on the vaccination schedule and helpful vaccine information links.  Recently there was a European traveler to Rochester who was found to have Measles infection after he left the area.  For more information on this please see www.monroecounty.gov/health. This highlights the risk to unvaccinated persons and to those who travel outside of the United States.  Measles is a highly contagious virus which can have severe consequences, such as encephalitis, deafness and death. Because some parents choose not to vaccinate their children, there have been outbreaks of measles in the US.  However the incidence outside the US is even higher.  Children usually receive the MMR vaccine at ages 15 months and 5 years.  However if you will be traveling outside of the US with your child, your child may need extra doses of the vaccine.  For children 6-11 months one dose of MMR should be give prior to international travel. Children greater than 12 months should receive 2 doses of MMR separated by at least 28 days. The scientific literature has proven that MMR is a safe and important vaccine. We are always happy to answer questions that you have about vaccination.