03 FEB 2015

Preventing the Spread of Measles in Our Community

NorthBay Healthcare physicians strongly urge parents to make sure their children have received the vaccine for measles in the wake of the first confirmed case in Solano County.

"While it is best to get the vaccine as soon as your child reaches the recommended age, it is never too late to get your children caught up so they can receive the vaccine and be fully protected.," explained Dr. Shanaz Khambatta, M.D., medical director for NorthBay Center for Primary Care.

She echoed this week's statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which noted, "We know from many repeated studies that the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is safe and effective. It is in fact one of the most effective vaccines we have. And as the measles outbreak has shown, this virus is incredibly contagious. If you have not been immunized against measles and come near an infected person, you have a 90 percent chance of getting measles."

Some children cannot be vaccinated because of problems with their immune system, or because they are too young to be vaccinated. So, the Academy noted, "It is heartbreaking to know that these vulnerable children may be at risk if parents refuse or delay getting their children vaccinated, allowing community immunization rates to fall below the rates necessary to protect the whole community.

Dr. Khambatta added, "To protect your own child, as well as the other children in your community, make the decision to vaccinate your child. If you have questions about measles or vaccines, we encourage you to talk with your child's pediatrician."

Her colleague, Dr. Bruce Hewett, has firsthand experience treating patients with measles during his 30-year career. He said, "What I remember most about measles is how miserable the kids were. There was very little we could do to make them comfortable. Parents were universally devastated watching their children suffer during the course of the illness."

To help parents, these additional resources are available:

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