08/23/2024
Did you know, measles is one of the most contagious respiratory diseases in the world that has the potential to be life-threatening? It is caused by a virus and is still common in many countries.
During Immunization Awareness Month talk to your LMG Family Medicine provider to discuss vaccinations that may reduce your risks of respiratory diseases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, before the U.S. measles vaccination program started in 1963, about 3 million to 4 million people nationwide got measles each year. Of those, 400 to 500 people died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 1,000 developed encephalitis (swelling of the brain) because of measles yearly. In the U.S., widespread use of the vaccine has led to a 99% reduction in measles cases compared with before the vaccination program began.
Vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of measles are proven both safe and effective. Most people who get the recommended two doses of a vaccine to prevent measles will have lifelong protection and will never get sick with measles, even if they’re exposed to the virus.
Still, outbreaks in the U.S. continue to occur. One main reason is an increase in measles incidence globally, resulting in unvaccinated people abroad being exposed to the virus and bringing it to the U.S. Another is because of the spread of measles in communities that include unvaccinated people.
Our most effective public health measure against measles is prevention with a measles vaccine. FDA-approved measles vaccines are proven both safe and effective.
