They are pushing for extra shots.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new advisory encouraging travelers to take added precautions against measles when visiting areas in the U.S. with active outbreaks. This guidance was shared with health departments in early April as measles cases have been climbing sharply, with over 600 cases reported across at least 21 states this year. Measles is highly contagious, prompting concerns about further spread, especially among unvaccinated populations.
As of now, Texas and Kansas are the only states that have revised their vaccine protocols in response to the outbreak. In affected counties, individuals — especially those planning to travel — are urged to review their vaccination history. The CDC recommends that people ensure they are fully immunized, which may involve getting a second dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine if they have only received one or receiving initial vaccinations if they’ve never had any.
Specific guidelines have also been laid out for different age groups. Infants between six and eleven months are advised to receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine, followed by the regular two-dose schedule. Children over one year old who have received just one dose may get their second dose sooner, provided enough time has passed. Additionally, adults born between 1957 and 1968 may need an updated version of the vaccine if they previously received an older formulation.
While these recommendations build on longstanding CDC policies for international travel, the current update addresses the growing concern about domestic outbreaks. States such as New Jersey, Georgia, Ohio, and Colorado have seen significant case numbers. Tragically, a few deaths, including two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico, have been linked to the virus this year.
Although the CDC has not changed its core clinical vaccination guidance, it acknowledged that local health departments might offer expanded advice during outbreaks. They also cautioned that early vaccination for infants should be considered carefully due to potential long-term impacts on immune response. The agency clarified there is no current recommendation for a third dose of the MMR vaccine during outbreaks.
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