Measles

SMCHD Current Activation Status: Full (Red)

MMR Vaccine Clinics

The St. Mary's County Health Department will be offering MMR Vaccine Clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. at the SMCHD Health Clinic located at 21580 Peabody St. in Leonardtown. Appointments are recommended, but walk ins are welcome.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is effective. Two doses provide 97% protection against measles. 
Measles is a highly contagious disease. It spreads when someone infected speaks, coughs, sneezes, or breathes. It can linger in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left.  
Unvaccinated people are at high risk. Roughly 90% of those unvaccinated and exposed to measles will contract the disease. 
Vitamin A cannot prevent measles. Larger doses of vitamin A given over prolonged periods are very dangerous and can lead to vomiting, blurry vision, headaches, and, when more severe, liver damage and coma. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional vitamin A.

Measles is a serious respiratory disease (in the lungs and breathing tubes) that causes a rash and fever. It is very contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles.

Symptoms

The symptoms of measles generally appear 7-14 days after a person is infected. Measles typically begins with:

Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Red or watery eyes

A Few Days Later:

Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth.
A red, blotchy rash may begin on the face and spread down the body.
The fever may become higher when the rash appears.

Among people who are susceptible, 9 out of 10 will develop measles when exposed to the virus. About 3 out of 10 people who get measles will develop one or more complications, including pneumonia, ear infections, or diarrhea. Complications are more common in older adults and young children. Measles can be serious, especially for children younger than five years of age. It can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. The best protection against measles is vaccination.

Measles Vaccination

Measles can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. In the United States, widespread use of the measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases compared with the pre-vaccine era.

SMCHD offers measles vaccines to all St. Mary’s County community members, regardless of ability to pay. Community members may contact the St. Mary’s County Health Department Health Clinic at 301-475-4330 to schedule an appointment for the vaccine.

Vaccination recommendations are as follows:

Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12–15 months of age and the second dose at 4–6 years of age. The second dose can be received earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.
- Infants 6-11 months of age may receive “dose zero” (early dose) and then continue with “dose one” at 12-15 months and “dose two” at 4-6 years (can give accelerated “dose two” at age 1-4 yrs if at least 28 days after dose one).
Adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles:
- Born before 1957: Consider 2-dose series at least 4 weeks apart for protection.
- Born in 1957 or later: Complete 2-dose series at least 4 weeks apart for protection.
Healthcare personnel and first responders should have documented evidence of immunity against measles. Healthcare personnel without evidence of immunity should get two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Measles

Individuals exposed to measles who cannot readily show that they have adequate presumptive evidence of immunity against measles are eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

There are two types of PEP for measles: