BY JENNIFER GUY
Superintendent
Los Alamos Public Schools

As the community knows, there is a major outbreak of measles in Texas, which has expanded into New Mexico. So far, there are 124 cases in Texas, mostly among children, and last week a child in Texas died of measles. There are 9 cases in Lea County, NM, four among children below 18 years of age and 5 among people over 18.

Some community members have asked us about vaccination against measles, especially if adults need a booster shot. Here are the CDC recommendations on measles vaccine:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/index.html#:~:text=Routine%20recommendations-,Children,6%20years%20(before%20school%20entry)

In addition, here are the CDC recommendations for specific groups, including people at high-risk:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/specific-groups.html

The key points concerning adults are:

• If you were born before 1957, it is presumed that you have immunity to measles and do not need a vaccine now
• If you got a vaccine prior to 1968, CDC recommends that you get one or two more doses of the present vaccine
• If you got vaccinated after 1968, it is presumed that you are immune to measles and do not need another vaccine.

The last recommendation is based on evidence that shows that two dose measles vaccination offered since 1968 is 97% effective and considered to confer lifelong immunity for most people.

However, in the face of the present measles outbreak, if adults have concerns about their continuing immunity to measles, we encourage them to speak with their healthcare provider. They may discuss with you a blood test to check if you are still immune to measles and whether or not additional vaccination would be warranted.

If the measles outbreak continues to expand in New Mexico, we hope that the New Mexico Department of Health will offer additional guidance on measles vaccination, particularly for children not yet fully vaccinated. For now, parents of such children who are concerned about measles may wish to speak with their children’s healthcare provider about the scheduling of vaccines for those children not yet vaccinated or fully vaccinated. This is covered in the CDC recommendations on vaccination for “groups at increased risk during measles outbreaks.”

If you have any questions you should reach out to your health care provider or your school nurse.