What doctors say about early measles vaccination for children
PHOENIX (AZFamily)—Given recent measles outbreaks in west Texas and eastern New Mexico, should parents consider vaccinating their children early?
“The recommendation is that you get the shot to your child between 12 to 15 months of age, and then a second shot between ages of four and five, usually right before they start school,” said Dr. Shad Marvasti, Director of Integrative Medicine with HonorHealth.
However, with 222 measles cases nationwide as of March 6, some parents may wonder if they should change the vaccine schedule if they plan to travel with their little kids soon!
Dr. Marvasti says if you are traveling internationally with a baby soon or going to an area where there’s an outbreak, you might want to consider vaccinating before your child turns one.
“The key there is, if you do get it between 6 to 11 months of age, which is earlier than what the recommendation is, you want to do it at least two weeks before traveling or before potential exposure, because they’re going to need at least that two week time frame for the body’s immune system to develop antibodies against the measles virus,” Dr. Marvasti said.
If you get your child’s first MMR shot early, the CDC says kids still need “two more doses after their first birthday.”
According to the CDC, one dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles. Given the high efficacy rate, is there any reason parents should bump up the second MMR dose?
Marvasti says parents should feel “pretty confident,” but he adds that if you’re worried, “there was really no harm in speeding up that next dose.”
As with anything, be sure to talk to your child’s pediatrician or family doctor if you have questions or are considering vaccinating your child early for the measles.
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