CDC is recommending that all Americans get a measles vaccination before travel this summer or consider postponing your trip.
This was on the evening news.
I had measles as a child and I thought that we could not get it again.
Is anyone on forum concerned about getting measles? Have any of the adults on forum gotten a measles vaccination?
I got vaccinated in U.S. Military boot camp in 1987 where it is mandatory.
My sister did catch it twice, as a child and later as a teen. What you can consider is a measles titer test, for peace of mind, if you are worried
My school district required proof of vaccination or evidence of antibodies (hence the titer test) a few years ago for all students and staff. There didn't end up being an outbreak, but I did learn I still had good levels of antibodies from my case about 65 years ago!
And I still wear masks and certainly in airports or other crowded areas that's something else you can do.
Healthy travels!
OP, you may have misunderstood the CDC recommendation. Vaccination is only necessary if you have not previously had the disease or have never been vaccinated with the MMR or MMRV vaccine. Getting measles a second time happens very rarely, but if you are concerned, a titre test, as mentioned above, would show your level of immunity.
thank you eveyone for your responses
CJean
I am not concerned about getting measles again. I am concerned that we might be told that we have to get vaccinated in order to fly
I do get the flu shot every year and when told I need. a new COVID booster, I will get it.
At first, I thought the OP was unnecessarily alarmed. But I looked at the CDC website, and I saw the expression "presumptive evidence of immunity."
"ACIP recommends that people who don't have presumptive evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella should get vaccinated against these diseases."
The same page suggests that "healthcare facilities should consider vaccinating healthcare personnel born before 1957 who lack laboratory evidence of immunity or laboratory confirmation of disease". In other words, this is about safe management practices, not about personal safety.
This may be another case of highly technical, facility-related, healthcare information causing fear, confusion, and doubt. And it creates fear of possible regulatory surprises while traveling, although I don't think that is the OP's primary concern.)
(I was born in 1951 and remember having Measles, with my sister. I've had seven Covid-19 shots.)
I am concerned that we might be told that we have to get vaccinated in order to fly
That would be a very remote possibility, not even being discussed at the moment, and a very unlikely order given the position of the current administration and Secretary of Health and Human Services.
But if this is a worry, getting a booster MMR is cheap peace of mind.
The recommendation by the CDC for adults to be re-vaccinated against measles is one of the more ironic things I've read in the past 20 years, given whom our beloved Commander in Chief has put in charge of the CDC.
Bostonphil, you do not need to worry about this. I have never had measles, but I have been immunized three times for various reasons. It is highly unlikely that this would ever be required for travel and those us born in 1957 or before would be exempt anyway.
We have a group of people who prefer to get their facts from social media, rather than research, that are causing measles vaccination rates among children to decline and a subsequent increase in measles disease.
CDC does not want individuals without immunity traveling to locations that may have a measles outbreak and bringing it back home since the numbers of individuals being vaccinated against measles has decreased recently and the US population is not as protected as it has been in the past.
Got ours at local drug store three weeks ago. Leaving in 24 days. Our arms are like pin cushions the last three years. No worry it takes seconds. So, what is the fuss about?
Most people only need to pay attention to this a)if they never had measles and got the early versions of the shot(as did my sister, who was born in 1956 and didn't get measles when I did, but not an issue for her since she wouldn't dream of getting on a plane) or b) they didn't complete the currently prescribed series of shots for this. I suspect the primary concern is the people whose parents refused to get them the standard childhood vaccinations. Measles is very contagious and at times even the current Secretary has acknowledged the danger.
my concern is that the government will require us to get a measles vaccine in order to travel.
Or that countries like Japan will not allow us in unless we can prove that we had a measles vaccine.
Get a measles titer test, as recommended. Then you will know your immunity. And if you have immunity, will have documentation of that fact. Measles is not like covid, prior infection and proof of that immunity is accepted, the same as vaccination. Japan does not require their population to be vaccinated, but a very high percentage are. So, even if you do not have immunity, your chances of getting measles in Japan are low and your chances of spreading measles in Japan are low due to their high vaccination rate.
My doctor recommended a titer test because the records of my childhood vaccinations are incomplete, rather than just getting the vaccination (again) to be sure. It came back with sufficient immunity, so she didn't recommend another shot. Your medical situation may vary.
I was born before 1957 when the vaccine was unavailable. I don’t have a record of my childhood vaccines. Through discussions with my 3 siblings, it was determined they all had measles the year before I was born. I had the vaccine last year before going on a trip to Europe. Probably would not have had it done if not for the worldwide resurgence of the disease.
I was vaccinated in the 60s and also had a very mild case of measles as a child.
In 1995, I had the titer test and had to be vaccinated again. I was okay with it since I work in schools and and it is like living in a petri dish.
Better safe than sorry is my mindset!
Thanks for everyone's contributions. I think good answers have been given and I'm closing it to prevent this thread from going down a political path.
