Q: I’m concerned about my child getting exposed to measles. Can they receive the MMR vaccine early? What else can I do to protect my kid in addition to getting them vaccinated?
A: The rising cases of measles in scattered parts of the country and the small number of confirmed cases locally has pediatricians quite worried as well!
The short answer: yes, your child can be vaccinated early.
The full answer is a little more complicated. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, better known as MMR, is usually given at 12 months and 4 years of age. The earliest possible age it can be given is 6 months. We recommend giving the first dose early if the patient will be traveling or in times of outbreak. Making this decision is something you should discuss with your child’s medical provider. If you opt to give your child a measles vaccine before the age of 12 months, she or he will still have to get two doses after turning 1 year.
If your child has already had the first dose of the vaccine, the protection is very good: antibodies develop in 95% of children after only one dose. The second dose brings that protection rate up to greater than 99%. Immunized people do not shed or transmit the virus. If your child has received the first dose of MMR and you want to get the second dose early, at least 28 days need to elapse between the two doses.
Another way to protect your child is to avoid areas with high numbers of people who are unimmunized against measles. But, the only reliableway to protect your child is getting him or her vaccinated since measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted from droplets in the air or on surfaces several hours after a contagious person has been in that location. If you think your unimmunized baby or child has been exposed to measles, call your health care provider. An early dose of MMR vaccine is sometimes recommended.
Clotilde Johnson-Beale, M.D., is a general pediatrician practicing at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Gresham. She completed her medical training at UC Davis and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. She enjoys spending time with her spouse, her two daughters, two dogs and two cats.