The Rhode Island Department of Health is urging residents to check their measles vaccinations before holiday travel and gatherings, pointing to active outbreaks in parts of New York and Pennsylvania as well as Canada and Mexico.
Because it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to begin building immunity, anyone planning to travel should act now, the department said. For Thanksgiving travel on Nov. 26, that means being vaccinated by roughly Nov. 12.
“Measles is particularly dangerous for babies and young children, but is almost entirely preventable through vaccination,” Dr. Jerry Larkin, director of health, said in a statement. “Any parent or guardian who has a child at home who has not been vaccinated against measles should talk to their child’s healthcare professional, especially if they’re traveling outside the U.S., going to a state with a measles outbreak, or welcoming guests from those areas.”
Who should get vaccinated, and when
Children normally receive a first dose of the MMR vaccine — which protects against measles, mumps and rubella — between 12 and 15 months of age, and a second between ages 4 and 6.
Infants between 6 and 11 months old who will travel internationally or to an area with a known outbreak should get one dose before traveling, according to the health department. They should still receive the two routine doses after their first birthday.
Beyond young children, the department said people at higher risk of complications include those who are immunocompromised, pregnant women and adults over 20.
Where to get a shot
Vaccines are available through healthcare providers and community clinics. The health department said it can make vaccine available at no cost to families with insurance problems or trouble accessing care.
A list of clinics is at health.ri.gov/vaccine-clinics, or call 401-222-5960, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What measles looks like
Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, tiny white spots inside the cheeks, and a rash of large flat blotches.
The virus spreads through coughing, sneezing and close contact, and can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room, according to the CDC.
The health department said measles can also cause “immune amnesia,” weakening the immune system’s memory of past infections for up to five years, and in rare cases can lead to serious brain and spinal cord conditions.
Anyone with symptoms should call their healthcare provider before going to a medical office so staff can take precautions.
More information is at health.ri.gov/measles.
