Community Update on Measles
With the current measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, the Vanderburgh County Health Department would like to advise on the continued measures being taken to protect our community.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune or vaccinated will also become infected with the measles virus.
Prevention is key to keeping our community safe, and vaccination remains the best defense against measles infection.
Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine:
First dose at 12-15 months of age
Second dose at 4-6 years of age
Adults:
Born before 1957 have presumptive natural immunity
Born between 1957- 1968 likely need one dose of MMR vaccine due to the probability of
receiving a non-activated measles virus vaccine*
Born after 1968 likely to have had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine*
*If you are unsure of your vaccine status, speak with your provider who can administer a dose of the MMR vaccine or test for evidence of immunity.
Adults with private insurance and/or Medicare should contact their primary care provider or local pharmacy to be vaccinated. Adults without insurance and/or Medicaid can contact the Vanderburgh County Health Department to schedule an appointment. Parents/guardians of children, regardless of insurance status, should contact their children’s primary care provider to inquire about vaccination status. If a child does not have a primary care provider, parents/guardians can contact the Vanderburgh County Health Department to schedule an appointment.
To schedule an appointment, please call 812-435-2400.
For more information on measles, visit the Vanderburgh County Health Department website at https://vanderburghhealth.org/ or visit our Facebook page @Vandeburgh County Health Department.
