Choose to get the MMR vaccine (collum-Mumps-Rubella) is the only way to prevent you, you and your child from getting measles! Read the rest to find out who should be vaccinated and where to go.
Who should get a measles vaccine?
Anyone who is not immune to measles or falls into one of the following categories is due to a dose of vaccine against MMR (measles-rubine):
Children
- Between 12 and 15 months – 1st dose of routine
- Between 4 and 6 years old – 2nd (and last) routine dose
- More than 6 years and did not have 2 doses of routine.
Adults
- Born after 1957 and was not vaccinated.
- Vaccinated between 1963 and 1968 but received the inactivated vaccination (<5% of vaccinated adults) or do not know what type of vaccine you received.
- Received a single dose and is at high risk of exposure (a health worker, traveling internationally, a student in a higher education program) or live with someone which has a weakened immune system.
What you need to know if you are traveling
Children and adults traveling anywhere outside the United States or in an area in the United States which currently has an epidemic of measles:
- Be vaccinated at least 2 weeks before traveling if you are:
- Between 6-11 months – this is an additional early dose. Children will always get their 2 doses of routine after the age of 1 year.
- A child over a year old should receive his second dose from MMR at least 28 days after the first dose.
- An adult who received 1 dose and has no test results that show that you are protected from measles.
MMR vaccines should be given at least 28 days from each other.
If you have already received two doses of routine vaccine, you no longer need it, even if you have been exposed to measles because ROR vaccines offer life protection
Do I need a vaccine if I am exposed to measles?
You may be able to get a measles vaccine to avoid developing measles if:
- It’s been less than 3 days that you were exposed to measles and
- You have not received 2 doses of routine routine routine vaccine
If this describes you or you or your child, immediately contact your health care provider or your child pediatrician!
What is the effectiveness of the vaccine?
The ROR vaccine offers life protection and is:
- 93% efficient with 1 dose
- 97% effective with 2 doses
However, non -vaccinated people are at high risk:
- 9 people who are not vaccinated out of 10 on display will have measles.
- The most vulnerable are babies under the age of one, non -vaccinated children, non -vaccinated pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems.
Where to get a free measles vaccine
You can get a free mmr vaccine in Philadelphia in these city health centers, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- Health Center 3 – 555 S. 43rd St. | 215-685-7504
- Health Center 4 – 4400 HAVERFORD AVE. | 215-685-7601
- Health Center 5 Annex – 2001 W. Berks St. | 215-685-2933
- Mattie L. Humphrey Health Center (Health Center 9) – 131 E. Chelten Ave. | 215-685-5701
- Strawberry Manor Health Center – 2840 W. Dauphin St. | 215-685-2401
No insurance? No problem. These clinics provide free vaccines for everyone.
Children and adults can also be vaccinated in the office of their supplier or their pediatrician or in a retail pharmacy (call the pharmacy for minimum age requirements).
The measles is very contagious, but completely avoidable with vaccination.
Additional resources