Immunisation schedule of the Pediatric Spanish Association: 2021 recommendations

Health Nuggets: Increasing Measles Cases Highlight Need For Vaccinations

Measles cases have been increasing in the Twin Cities metro area, and anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk of getting sick.

Health officials are urging families to make sure they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that spreads easily by coughing, sneezing or even being in the same room with someone who has measles. It can be spread before someone shows symptoms. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Measles can cause serious disease leading to hospitalization and even death. Since May, 30 cases of measles have been reported in Minnesota as part of this outbreak. Initial cases were reported in May and June, but the outbreak started to take off at the end of July. Cases have ranged in age from 7 months to 10 years, with one case in an adult. Approximately one in three cases have required hospitalization.

Initial symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes followed by a rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body. It generally takes eight to 12 days from exposure for someone with measles to develop the first symptoms.

If symptoms develop, people should call their health care provider before going to a clinic. By calling first, the clinic can give you instructions for where to go. This avoids unintentionally exposing other people to measles in the waiting room.

So far, the outbreak is largely affecting unvaccinated children in the Somali community in Minnesota. However, anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk of getting sick with measles.

"Measles is currently circulating, and infections can be severe," said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist and medical director at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). "I urge all parents to be sure that their children are vaccinated because we know that vaccination offers the best protection."

After over 50 years of use, the MMR vaccine has been shown to be safe to receive and works to prevent measles. General recommendations for the MMR vaccine is for children to get two doses, one at 12-15 months of age and one at 4-6 years of age, although a second dose can be given earlier.

There are other reasons to get vaccinated beyond preventing illness. Unvaccinated people exposed to measles need to quarantine for 21 days. This means missing school, social and family events, religious events and gatherings, work, vacations and more.

MDH encourages parents/guardians to check their child's immunization records to see what vaccines they may need. Minnesotans can visit "Find My Immunization Record" at https://www.Health.State.Mn.Us/people/immunize/miic/records.Html for more information.

Most people born before 1957 have had measles and are considered immune.

Children can get vaccinated at their regular clinic. The Minnesota Vaccines for Children program (MnVFC) provides free or low-cost vaccines for children in Minnesota who are uninsured, enrolled in a Minnesota health care program like Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare or children who are American Indian or Alaska Natives. Visit https://www.Health.State.Mn.Us/people/immunize/basics/howpay.Html.Over 750 health care providers in Minnesota are enrolled in MnVFC and approximately half of Minnesotan children are eligible.

Children who do not have health insurance to cover vaccines can also get vaccinated through local public health departments.

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The North Country Community Health Services Board (NCCHB) is a legal, governing authority for local public health. The NCCHB works with the Minnesota Department of Health to fund and provide local public health services in the counties of Hubbard, Clearwater and Lake of the Woods. More info at www.Ncchb.Org.

Largest Oregon Measles Outbreak In 30 Years Endangers Kids, Expert Says

Every one of the 31 measles cases reported in Oregon as of Monday surfaced in people who had not received the MMR vaccine, according to an OHSU pediatrician

The largest Oregon measles outbreak in more than 30 years particularly endangers children less than five years old, according to a new health alert.

Oregon Health & Science University is warning that as the 31 cases of measles reported this year were of people who had not received the MMR vaccine targeting measles, mumps and rubella.

Unvaccinated infants or unvaccinated people with weakened immune systems or who are pregnant are particularly vulnerable, according to the university.

"We know that measles is incredibly contagious and can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5, so the continued rise in cases is certainly cause for concern," OHSU pediatrics professor Ben Hoffman, M.D. Said in a statement. He also works at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital and serves as president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"Routine childhood vaccinations, including the two-shot series to protect against measles, are especially crucial as kids head back to school."

Children To Get Measles Vaccine Earlier Under New RIVM Schedule

September 11, 2024 Child receiving vaccine. Photo: depositphotos

The vaccination schedule in the Netherlands is being changed to give children better protection against diseases such as whooping cough and measles before they start school.

The MMR vaccine, which covers measles, mumps and rubella, which is currently given to nine-year-olds will now be moved to the age of three.

The vaccines for four-year-olds, meanwhile, will now be given at the age of five. These protect against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

The polio booster for four-year-olds is being taken out of the programme, as infants already receive four injections in their first year.

The decision to bring forward the MMR jab was taken after doctors warned earlier this year that the risk of an outbreak was growing because of the low vaccination take-up.

The whooping cough vaccine is being delayed because the first round of jabs given in infancy protect children for longer.

Less than 85% of children born in 2020 were fully vaccinated by the age of two, according to figures published by the public health agency RIVM in June.

"We want primary school children to be protected for longer against whooping cough, because they might have younger brothers and sisters who could get seriously ill," Jeanne-Marie Hament, manager of the RIVM's vaccination programme, told AD.

Hament said the extra polio shot was being removed because the vaccines given in infancy offerd enough protection. "We give a lot of protection against polio, but as our knowledge develops we know that this is not necessary," she said.

The RIVM said it would also run a catch-up campaign to ensure no children miss out on vaccines as a result of the changes to the schedule.

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