CDC clarifies recommendations for adult MMR vaccine

The Alabama Public Health Department (ADPH) said it was continuing to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate potential cases of measles in the United States. ;State. There are more than 30 ongoing investigations and currently only one presumptive positive case of measles in Alabama.

This suspected positive case is in an infant in St. Clair County. ADPH says the child was not at daycare and had not traveled outside. Their investigation is ongoing and additional tests are underway.

The CDF received clarification on Friday from the CDC, which makes the following recommendations: A dose of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) or other presumptive immunity is sufficient protection for most American adults born in 1957 or after.

Other presumed evidence of immunity against measles include:

• Born before 1957
• Proof of immunity in the laboratory
• Confirmation of the disease in the laboratory

Some adults are considered high risk and require two doses of MMR, each dose being separated by at least 28 days, unless there is other presumptive evidence of measles immunity listed above.

These adults include:

• Students in post-secondary educational institutions
• Personal health
• International travelers

Clarification by the CDC of vaccine recommendations:

• It is not recommended to create an adult catch-up program for people born before 1989.
• It is not recommended to conduct vaccination campaigns with adults or individuals in unaffected areas to prevent measles outbreaks.

Currently, ADPH continues to recommend that infants and children be vaccinated at 12 months and 4 years of age. From the moment a person is exposed to measles, he / she can spend 7 to 21 days for signs and symptoms to occur, with an average of 10 to 14 days. People are contagious four days before the appearance of the rash to four days later.

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of measles that occur before the rash. Patients develop a fever, sometimes reaching 105 degrees, followed by a cough, a runny nose and red eyes (conjunctivitis). From 1 to 7 days after the onset of these symptoms, the rash develops. The rash starts on the face and spreads throughout the body. Patients may also have small white patches inside the mouth on the cheek, which can occur 2 days before and up to 2 days after the rash.

For each case of measles disease, 12 to 18 additional cases can be expected. The rate of measles complications is approximately 20 to 30%, especially in infants, children under 5 years of age and people aged 20 and over. Complications can range from ear infections and pneumonia to fatal encephalitis. For 1,000 people with measles, one to two people will die.

A consumer phone line has been established for calls during regular business hours from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:00. off holiday. Please call (334) 206-5023. In addition, for up-to-date answers to your questions about measles, visit the CDC's Measles FAQ Web page.