Health officials reported last week that measles outbreaks have affected areas of Texas and New Mexico, with nearly 100 people infected.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported on Friday that 90 cases have been identified in the state since the start of the year. The New Mexico Department of Health also reported nine cases on Friday. Texas health officials indicate that most patients in Texas are either unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown. This news follows the recent announcement that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism towards vaccines, is running to lead the nation’s top health agency, which has sparked concern among public health professionals.
Measles, a highly contagious airborne illness caused by a virus, can lead to serious complications or even death. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. TIME provides answers to common questions about the measles vaccine.
What is the measles vaccine?
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides protection against all three diseases. Children between the ages of 12 months and 12 years can receive either the MMR vaccine or the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine, which also protects against chickenpox.
The CDC recommends that people receive the MMR or MMRV vaccine, and schools generally require children to be vaccinated, although some states offer exemptions for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. According to CDC guidelines, children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose should be administered between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between four and six years of age. The CDC also advises that teenagers and adults can receive MMR vaccinations even if they were not vaccinated as children.
How does it work?
According to the CDC: “MMR is an attenuated (weakened) live virus vaccine. After injection, the viruses cause a harmless infection in the vaccinated person with very few, if any, symptoms before they are eliminated from the body. The person’s immune system fights the infection caused by these weakened viruses, and immunity (the body’s protection from the virus) develops.”
The vaccine is considered both safe and effective, with two doses providing 97% protection against measles, according to the CDC. While some side effects may occur, they are usually mild and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site, fever, or temporary joint stiffness. The CDC notes that most people do not experience any side effects from the MMR vaccine.
Can you still get the measles if you’ve been vaccinated?
The CDC states that most people who receive the MMR or MMRV vaccines will have lifelong protection against measles. However, some vaccinated individuals may still contract measles, mumps, or rubella if exposed to the viruses. The CDC estimates that about three out of 100 people who receive both doses of the MMR vaccine will still develop measles if exposed to the virus. The CDC explains that experts are unsure why this happens; it could be due to a weaker immune response to the vaccine or a decline in the immune system’s ability to fight the infection over time. Typically, vaccinated individuals who contract measles experience milder symptoms compared to unvaccinated individuals. They are also less likely to transmit the disease to others.
More than two decades ago, measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. High vaccination rates against measles, mumps, and rubella were largely responsible for the significant reduction in the prevalence of these diseases in the country. Currently, the CDC reports a rise in measles cases and outbreaks globally, with declining MMR vaccination rates in the U.S. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.