North Carolina state health officials have modified their February recommendation for Charlotte area babies 6-11 months old to receive an early dose of the measles vaccine.

The Charlotte area is no longer considered high risk, but, as always parents are advised to discuss early measles vaccination with their healthcare provider prior to travel internationally or to areas of the U.S. where measles is spreading.

All parents are advised to continue following guidelines to receive two measles vaccinations for their children starting at 12 months.

Measles is spread through the air via sneezing and coughing. Symptoms include a high fever, red eyes and a red-spotty rash that starts on the face and spreads downward. Before the advent of a measles vaccine in 1963, an average of 2.6 million people died annually from the disease worldwide.

“Measles causes serious complications for 20% to 30% of people who get infected, and it’s one of the most contagious diseases,” said Dr. Sameena Hassan, pediatrician with Novant Health Dilworth Pediatrics in Charlotte.

The measles vaccines (and boosters) are incredibly effective, but most kids don’t get their first vaccine until age one, with the second dose coming years later.

Parents of children too young to be vaccinated do not need to change their activities unless they have reason to believe their child will be exposed to added risks or other special circumstances, Hassan said. When in doubt, she added, check with your pediatrician.

“Novant Health pediatric diseases specialists are monitoring events daily and are in constant contact with state health authorities,” Hassan said.

Hassan gets deeper into the details and answers common questions about the measles vaccines.

When do kids usually get the measles vaccine?

● Generally, kids get the first MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine for between 12 to 15 months of age.

● They get the second vaccine between 4 to 6 years of age.

What’s in the measles vaccine?

The MMR vaccine contains live virus strains and targets measles, mumps and rubella. Rubella, also called German measles, is a similar viral infection that can cause birth defects. Mumps is a virus that largely affects the salivary glands and has symptoms like swelling in the jaw and cheeks. The second dose of the MMR vaccine is typically combined with protection against varicella, otherwise known as chicken pox.

How effective is the measles vaccine for kids?

The measles vaccine is excellent at offering protection, and it’s protective for communities as a whole to vaccinate your child. The first dose provides 93% immunity and the second dose provides 97% immunity.

Is it OK for a baby to get several vaccines in one vaccine batch?

Yes, this is standard and makes it possible for a child to get multiple vaccines in one needle poke instead of many needle pokes. It’s not too much for a child’s body or immune system to handle.

Why do kids usually have to wait until they are 1 for the measles vaccine?

The shot doesn’t effectively last long term in the body until age 1. If a child does get the first vaccine between ages 6 to 12 months, it provides temporary immunity. That child would then need to repeat the first vaccine after age 1 before receiving the second dose, and then receive a third and final dose.

When should you consider the measles vaccines for your child before age 1?

There are some instances where it would be recommended for a child under the age of 1 to get an early measles vaccine according to NCDHHS. They include:

• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends clinicians consider early vaccination for infants 6-11 months of age who will be spending time in areas where measles transmission is occurring, which currently includes Buncombe County in North Carolina, the Charlotte metro region and the Upstate region of South Carolina.
• Infants 6-11 months of age should receive an early dose of MMR vaccine prior to international travel.

Can a child get the second dose of the measles vaccine early?

Yes, the second vaccine can be given 28 days after the first dose if there’s an urgent need to maximize their immunity, such as if they are about to travel internationally or there’s an outbreak in their community.

For MMR in infants less than 12 months of age, the first dose is an “extra” dose. All infants vaccinated prior to 12 months of age will still need to receive two additional doses of MMR after 12 months of age.

What should you do if your kid has measles symptoms like fever, rash and runny nose?

Don’t panic and assume it’s measles. This is a common constellation of symptoms for a lot of common, non-scary viruses that a child can usually recover from without medication. Children with measles usually have high fever and red eyes when symptoms start. The rash usually starts on the face a few days later and spreads downward.

Also don’t immediately take them to a pediatric office or urgent care waiting room – call your pediatrician and share your concerns before.