Freaking out about the measles

opheliainwaders · March 2014

OK, so the more I read about how we have a measles outbreak in NYC, the more I feel like I need to freak out about it a little. Or do something productive. So! Medically-minded ladies - any reason why a 9/10-month-old *can't* get her MMR vaccine? Do I have to wait until a year, or can I request it early?

[Deleted User] · March 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

redhead610 · March 2014

There is no harm in asking your pedi! I am freaked out about it since we have local cases as well.

opheliainwaders · March 2014

I think I'll ask! There's really no way for us to avoid the subway, the library, etc., and with this neverending winter...oy.

KTZ17 · March 2014

Please update on what the pedi says! My mom was just telling me that she's worried about it for DD and I'd be curious to know if pedis are willing to give it ahead of schedule.

opheliainwaders · March 2014

I'll let you know as soon as she emails me back (might be tomorrow AM for a non-urgent question)!

grapeskittles4lyfe · March 2014

We gave it to LO two weeks ago (so a week after she turned 7 months). Recommended is 12 months, but you can give it sooner if needed (like flying internationally, etc). LO didn't show any side effects except for turning into her usual post-vaccine energizer bunny self (happy baby that only got tired at around 11pm).

You will need to give your LO 3 shots instead of the usual 2, though (at least in MA), if you choose to give her the MMR vaccine before she's 1. Schools want proof of MMR vaccine at 1 and 4 years (I think?), and don't count any shots before the 1 year mark as valid. She's still protected, of course, but the school only accepts vaccinations at their determined time points.

Hope that could help!

thegoodpotato · March 2014

I've actually read the fact sheet on the MMR vaccine, and it's reliability hasn't been studied in children under 12mo.

That being said, if a doctor is willing to give it early, I don't think it would do harm (Hippocratic oath and all that).

We have a measles outbreak here too. Maddening. >:(

opheliainwaders · March 2014

livvyx said:

I had it early as I lived in a poor/vulnerable to measles area of the world as a child - but my doctor was insistent that DD can't have it early. She said it doesn't "take" effectively if given too early. I was re vaccinated as an adult as a result, as my immunity had gone.

Anyway - I wouldn't freak out too much. Measles is scary, but still pretty rare in the US.

Interesting re: effectiveness. There's unfortunately an outbreak right now in an area of Brooklyn right near us, so the chances of coming into contact with someone who's got it are higher than they would be otherwise. I wouldn't freak out so much if it wasn't so close, you know? Bleh.

jackson290721 · March 2014

All if these diseases coming back are seriously making me crazy. Ugh.

thegoodpotato · March 2014

In Vancouver, it's in the hundreds at least with very few that have it isolating themselves. I know it's not much in a city of a million it so, but who knows how many have caught it now....

[Deleted User] · March 2014

I wonder how effective only the first shot is? In the NYC school that had 16 kids with the measles, I think they said 3 of the kids were partially vaccinated but not old enough to have had the second MMR shot. The other kids weren't vaccinated at all.

Pink724 · March 2014

Here is an email we got from our pediatrician a couple of weeks ago:

As you may have read, there have been a few cases of measles reported in New York. Measles is an almost extinct illness. Periodically, there's an outbreak affecting mostly unvaccinated people. Measles is basically a bad flu with a high fever and rash. Like the flu it can have rare but serious complications such as pneumonia. The MMR vaccine, which is safe and effective, is given to kids at 1 year of age for optimum immune protection, and at 4 years of age to reinforce immunity.

Currently there are just a few isolated cases of measles, but in order to prevent spread of infection the Department of Health is recommending:

* Parents who opted to delay the measles vaccination should get their child, or children, vaccinated promptly. Please note: unless you specifically requested to postpone the vaccine, your child would have received it, on schedule, at a regular appointment. To be certain, we are running a report to identify children who are due for the MMR and we will send an email to those families.

* Providers with patients in the following zip codes (10034, 10040, 10033, 10032, 10451, 10453) are specifically being asked to ensure that their patients are up-to-date with measles vaccinations. We are following this recommendation though I suspect it may cause some unnecessary confusion as zip codes are not sealed off from the rest of the city.

* Immunized children between the ages of one and four, who come in for a scheduled visit, are advised to get their MMR booster now, rather than wait until 4 years of age. This is just a way for the DOH to ensure that the largest number of children get boosters in a timely fashion. Hence, if your child is not scheduled for a well visit an expedited booster will not be required or given.

For those children who need to receive the vaccine-- on schedule, as a part of the usual course--- we will make sure it is available and given.

Should this outbreak turn into an epidemic, the DOH may recommend vaccinating kids under 1 year of age. This is NOT the case for now.

You can count on us to monitor the situation and advise you of any changing recommendations.

lovemyminions · March 2014

Ummm....we have a measles outbreak too. Wtf....this is getting crazy

arlingirl · March 2014

We had one last July here in North Texas.

opheliainwaders · March 2014

@Pink724 that's basically exactly what my pedi said, too. No need to vaccinate right now (and if they do vax under 1 year, they need 2 doses 4 weeks apart), but if the outbreak becomes more widespread in our zip, then to consider it.

MRads · March 2014

I can't stand antivaxers who have no reason.

Want a personalized experience?

Freaking out about the measles

Re: Freaking out about the measles

Choose Another Board

Search Boards