Protect Yourself And The Family Against Measles Before International Travel

We have heard of a few cases in the United States where Measles outbreaks have occurred. Usually, these are instance where unvaccinated Americans traveling to distant lands and bringing back the decease as Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world, including areas in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. This leads to unvaccinated travelers bring measles to the U.S. and it can spread. Protect yourself, you family, your community and the country with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, especially before traveling internationally.

 Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world, including areas in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. Worldwide, 19 cases of measles per 1 million persons are reported each year; about 89,780 die. In the United States, most of the measles cases result from international travel. The disease is brought into the United States by unvaccinated people who get infected in other countries. They spread measles to others, which can cause outbreaks.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting infected when they travel internationally.

Make Sure You’re Protected against Measles before International Travel

Before any international travel—

• Infants 6 months through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine.†
• Children 12 months of age and older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
• Teenagers and adults who do not have evidence of immunity* against measles should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.

† Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more doses (one dose at 12 through 15 months of age and another dose at least 28 days later).

* Acceptable presumptive evidence of immunity against measles includes at least one of the following: written documentation of adequate vaccination, laboratory evidence of immunity, laboratory confirmation of measles, or birth in the United States before 1957.

CDC https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/measles-israel