If you live in the northern hemisphere, this is probably your experience. In the southern hemisphere, we're likely to start seeing an increase in outbreaks. It's not that measles is suddenly less infectious, or that the outbreaks can be considered truly over - the answer is actually fairly simple. The weather is warmer, and people spend more time on activities that are outdoors instead of in confined spaces: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3604842/
No one should get too complacent. If you've watched the news, you know that a lot of the outbreaks in the US have originated with people traveling overseas to countries with active outbreaks, and they catch it, and bring it back. Summertime is a heavy travel season, so it's only a matter of time before another outbreak occurs. Here's an interesting news story about why travel is a factor: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2019/06/11/measles-cases-surpass-1000-medical-experts-worry-summer-travel/1407880001/
The time to get vaccinated is BEFORE an outbreak. Since it takes several weeks post-vaccination to achieve immunity, waiting until an outbreak occurs could be too late. Since one dose offers 93% protection, and two doses offers 97% protection, getting started on the series as soon as it's possible is your best bet.
So the measles outbreak seems to be slowing down. Does this mean it's starting to end?
A family member and I are in a debate about this. I say it isn't, and she needs to vaccinate her kids. She says it's slowing, so she shouldn't. I know you don't want to debate the vaccine, but is it slowing down?
This is all very interesting. I was born 4 yrs before the MMR was available. I have no idea if I ever received that vaccine or not. I am thinking I did not since I did have the Mumps as a child. I remember this clearly, so I was much older than 4yrs and why I think I never received the MMR. I also had Chicken Pox, but never any kind of Measles.
This outbreak has scared me a little. Thanks to everyone who has posted links and info. Looks like I may need to ask my Dr for a booster although I'm unsure of that since a booster is given after getting the vaccine a first time??
I never had the measles and looks like I will need a booster. This is great information. I'll follow up with my doctor. There is a woman who's story of her infant daughter really touched me. https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/06/health/measles-baby-misdiagnosis-eprise/index.html. It's good to be educated about measles as younger practicing doctors today haven't seen a lot of cases (yet) and they may have trouble diagnosing it. Best to arm yourself for information in my opinion.
The woman really drives home the point that not just you are at risk if you get the measles but a more vulnerable person could have devastating consequences should they get it from you.
I have a physical coming up and plan to ask about a booster. I'll probably do that rather than test as I'm guessing that is the most economical option in my case.
From what I’ve been reading, it’s “assumed” that those of us born prior to 1957 would have had what are considered the “childhood diseases” because usually when one child got them most children in an area got them from exposure in school, church or family. Many parents purposely exposed children to these illnesses because it was thought that the younger they were when they got them the easier the illnesses were to get through!!! Having had them all and still bearing scars from sores caused by the rashes, I’d certainly never say I agreed.
Because it’s only assumed that those of us born before 1957 are immune, I agree that you should check with your doctor if you’re in doubt as to whether or not you might be immune. Since I know I had both types of measles (measles and rubella), as well as mumps, I’ve no doubt as to my own immunity. I will be talking to both of my grown children to make sure they check with their doctors to make sure of their immunity.
You should definitely talk to your insurance carrier about coverage because they do vary. I haven’t checked with mine in regards to MMR since have natural immunity; however there are other immunizations I’ve come across that some carriers cover and others don’t, so that could also hold true for MMR.
Does anyone know if insurance is covering these boosters or titer testing?
Also, is it a guarantee that people born before 1957 will have immunity, or should they get checked?