Western Suburbs of Chicago: What You Need to Know About The Measles

Many parents have contacted the office with concerns regarding the current measles outbreak.

As of today, there are no confirmed cases of measles in our area other than the isolated case identified in Palatine nearly 2 weeks ago.

If you or your family members were present at any of the following locations during the dates listed below, and are showing signs of illness, please contact the cook county health department (847-818-4020).

• Supermercado Guzman, 1611 N. Baldwin Road in Palatine, between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Jan. 12 & 13
• Northwest Community Hospital emergency room, 800 W. Central Road in Arlington Heights, from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 14 and from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 17
• Vista Clinic, 1585 N. Rand Road in Palatine between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Jan. 16

Overall, there have been 102 cases identified nationally in 14 states, with the vast majority localized to California.

The CDC provides an up-to-date surveillance website with number of current cases and location and it is updated frequently.

Be mindful that social media sites may not be accurate sources of information. Please see this information at
http://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html

Please also review the following comprehensive information available on the cdc.gov website for details about measles itself, transmission, signs and symptoms, complications, and vaccine recommendations. http://www.cdc.gov/features/measles/

To date, there are no changes to the CDC recommendations for the measles vaccination schedule.

At Salud Pediatrics, we continue to recommend timely vaccinations for all our patients as they are the best and safest way to prevent the spread of vaccine preventable illness.

Vaccinations are not only important for individual health, but also our health as a community.

By providing timely immunizations to each individual, we also protect those who cannot receive the vaccine – for example, those that are too young, battling cancer, or immune disorders.

The current vaccine recommendations are as follows:

Children:
CDC recommends routine childhood immunization for MMR vaccine starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age or at least 28 days following the first dose.

Students at post-high school educational institutions:
Students at post-high school educational institutions without evidence of measles immunity need two doses of MMR vaccine, with the second dose administered no earlier than 28 days after the first dose.

Adults:
People who are born during or after 1957 who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.

International travelers:
People 6 months of age or older who will be traveling internationally should be protected against measles. Before travelling internationally,

• Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine
• Children 12 months of age or older should have documentation of two doses of MMR vaccine (the first dose of MMR vaccine should be administered at age 12 months or older; the second dose no earlier than 28 days after the first dose)
• Teenagers and adults born during or after 1957 without evidence of immunity against measles should have documentation of two doses of MMR vaccine, with the second dose administered no earlier than 28 days after the first dose.

Written by Dr. Sandra Graba