Measles testing and booster shots information
With the recent outbreak of measles in the United States and decreasing rate of vaccinations, we are again concerned about measles infections. This email is most relevant to our patients born between 1957 and 1989.
People born before 1957 most likely contracted measles and have immunity for life. The MMR (measles mumps rubella) vaccine was given starting in 1963. It is a live vaccine, but between 1963 and 1967, an inactivated version was used that was later found to be less effective and taken off the market. If you were born between 1957 and 1967 you may have only received one dose of the inactive vaccine and therefore we recommend one of two approaches. You can first do a blood test to check if you have immunity (a measles titer) and then decide if you need a booster shot based on those results or you can go ahead with an MMR booster. One shot will give you about 93% immunity so in many instances we will recommend a second shot to get about 97% immunity. The second shot is given a month after the first. The two shot vaccination schedule was universally recommended in 1989 so people born before 1989 may have received only one shot rather than two so they may have reduced immunity. If you are in this group you may want to do a blood test to check for immunity unless you still have your vaccine record and it shows two shots.
We are in uncharted territory because we have never had to revaccinate adults. We do not know when immunity starts to decline. If you would like to check your immune status for measles, you can call the office to schedule a lab appointment. You do not need to fast for the test.
If your test shows you have zero immunity, then you will need a 2-shot series of MMR. The second shot is due one month later. If the titer is just slightly low, then one booster shot will be sufficient. Please note there is not a vaccine for measles only. Since MMR is a live attenuated vaccine, you should not get it if you are immunocompromised, feel ill or are pregnant. If you come in to the office for a blood test we will review the results and advise you based on your specific situation. If you require vaccination you can then schedule a nurse appointment to receive the shot.
