Preventing measles in faculty and staff born in the 1960s

August 15, 2019

Preventing measles in faculty and staff born in the 1960s

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 2019 is on track to be the worst year for measles outbreaks in 27 years. From Jan. 1 through April 11, 555 individual cases were reported in 20 states, including Illinois, and those numbers continue to rise.

Many of these outbreaks have occurred on college campuses. Travelers may also be at increased risk due to higher numbers of outbreaks in other countries, and 90% of exposed individuals who do not have immunity will acquire the disease.

Having the disease or receiving the measles vaccination is protective, but there is concern about an ineffective ‘killed virus’ vaccine that was used between 1963 and 1967. It was replaced by a ‘live attenuated virus’ vaccine in 1968 and combined with Mumps and Rubella, the MMR vaccine still in use today.

Individuals who received the ‘killed virus’ vaccine were likely born in the 1960s. Those born during this time frame should review their immunization records, discuss this with their personal physician and/or consider getting an MMR vaccine, as there is no harm in receiving another dose of MMR if someone is already immune. Alternatively, a simple blood test can determine one’s immunity against measles.

Because immunizations are considered preventative, most insurance companies do not charge the patient, although some doctors charge an office visit and an administration fee.

The alternative is to get a vaccine at the local health department or one of the local pharmacies. Most now administer vaccines and have the ability to bill all insurance companies. 

More information about this subject is available at the CDC website.