Do I Need a Measles Vaccination? Oneida Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Lists Risk Factors for Seniors
May 22, 2019
Measles, a disease that was declared eradicated in 2000 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been documented in around 700 cases among 22 states in 2019.
Much of the resurgence has been in children whose parents chose not to have them vaccinated for the disease.
Prior to the vaccine being available in 1963, it was almost a rite-of-passage for a child to get the measles. Because of this, the general recommendation for seniors is that they do not need a vaccination for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella).
“If you’re over 65, you probably aren’t going to get the measles,” Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan, MD, MBA told Forbes.
The CDC says that adults 63 and over are presumed to be immune because they were likely infected before the vaccination was invented. People born from 1957 on were likely given two doses of the MMR vaccine, which should cover them for life.
Which Seniors Should Get the Vaccine or Be Re-vaccinated?
From 1963 to 1967, both live and killed versions of the measles vaccine were given. Dr. Dharmarajan says people who were given the killed virus may not be completely protected, which is why that version was taken off the market.
“Anyone who received an inactivated or killed version of the measles vaccine, which was available only in the mid-1960s, may not have developed immunity, as this vaccine was ineffective,” Dr. Dharmarajan said.
People older than 65 who were not born in the United States and never received the MMR vaccination may also be a candidate to receive a vaccination presently.
If you’re unclear about your status, your doctor can perform a simple blood test that can determine whether you have the antibodies in your system to protect you from the measles.
An MMR vaccine is given in two doses, at least 28 days apart. The combination of the two shots proves to be 97 percent effective against the measles.
To learn more about Oneida Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit https://centershealthcare.com/oneida_center/.
