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Special Edition – Measles Update |
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Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) was notified on February 26, 2025, of a confirmed measles case in a King County infant. The infant may have been exposed to measles during recent travel abroad. You can read more about this case in PHSKC’s Public Health Insider blog article here (Leer en español).
Considering this local case and the recent measles outbreaks in the U.S, here are a few reminders for your program:
What to know about measles right now
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. It is so contagious that when one person in a room has it, up to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people will become infected. It can live in the air for up to two hours. This means it’s possible to catch measles from an infected person without ever being in the same place at the same time. View this comic strip, “How Contagious is Measles?” (available in multiple languages), to see how people can catch measles.
Infants and children under 5 years old are at risk of severe disease from measles, but fortunately the measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% protection against getting infected by measles, and that protection lasts a lifetime.
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Now is the time to check measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) documentation and immunization records for staff, children, and volunteers.
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Staff who work or volunteer in any licensed child care center must provide documentation that they have either received at least one dose of MMR vaccine or have immunity to measles. See WAC 300- 0120 for specific requirements.
- Families of children 12 months and older must provide one of the following:
- Proof of their child’s MMR vaccination(s) on a Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form. MMR is usually recommended at 12 through 15 months of age, with a second dose at age 4 through 6 years.
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A laboratory test (called a titer) showing proof of immunity to measles, either from a past infection or from vaccination.
- A signed Certificate of Exemption (COE) for medical, religious, or religious membership. Medical and religious exemptions require a healthcare provider signature. Children are not allowed to have a personal or philosophical exemption for the MMR vaccine, per WAC.
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When young children travel
Measles continues to be a common disease in many parts of the world. Encourage families with young children to check in with their child’s healthcare provider about MMR vaccines before they travel. Children younger than a year of age are eligible for a dose outside of the routinely recommended vaccination schedule if they are traveling internationally or to a place within the United States with a local outbreak.
Infants aged 6 months through 11 months who are traveling are recommended to:
- Get an early dose of MMR at age 6 months through 11 months (preferably 2 weeks before travel) and
- Get two additional MMR doses, as routinely recommended, at ages:
- 12 months through 15 months
- 4 years through 6 years (or earlier, if it has been at least 28 days since the previous dose).
Children over 12 months who are traveling are recommended to:
- Get the first dose of MMR immediately (preferably 2 weeks before traveling) and
- Get the second dose 28 days after first dose.
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