Public advised to stay up to date on measles vaccines
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is advising the community and healthcare providers to be on the alert for possible cases of measles. While the CNMI has not experienced any recent outbreaks or spread of measles within our islands, we are reminded that measles can be brought in when residents or travelers are exposed overseas and re-enter.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that declines in measles vaccinations globally have increased the risk of larger measles outbreaks worldwide, including the U.S. mainland.
Staying up to date on routine childhood vaccines, including the two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine (usually first given at the 1-year well-child visit and again at 4-6 years of age) protects our children and the larger community from outbreaks of measles. For adults, one or two doses of the MMR vaccine is recommended depending on situations that may pose a higher risk for measles transmission.
In a CDC Health Alert Network issued on March 18, 2024, individuals, especially those anticipating international travel should follow the follow recommendations:
• Even if not traveling, ensure that children receive all recommended doses of MMR vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine provide better protection (97%) against measles than one dose (93%). Getting MMR vaccine is much safer than getting measles, mumps, or rubella.
• Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting infected when they travel internationally. Before international travel, check your destination and CDC’s Global Measles Travel Health Notice for more travel health advice, including where measles outbreaks have been reported.
• Parents traveling internationally with children should consult with their child’s healthcare provider to ensure that they are current with their MMR vaccinations at least two weeks before travel. Infants aged 6 to 11 months should have one documented dose and children aged 12 months and older should have two documented doses of MMR vaccine before international travel. Depending on where you are going and what activities you plan, other vaccines may be recommended too.
• After international travel, watch for signs and symptoms of measles for three weeks after returning to the United States. If you or your child gets sick with a rash and a high fever, call your healthcare provider. Tell them you traveled to another country and whether you or your child have received MMR vaccine.
As of today, most children in school are up to date with their MMR and other routine vaccines, in accordance with CNMI Public Law 6-10; however, the CHCC has received more requests for vaccine exemptions post-pandemic. Our top priority is making the measles and other safe and highly effective vaccines available for those who need it.
To check what vaccines you might need or where to get them, call the CHCC Immunization Clinic at (670) 236-8745, open Monday to Saturday, from 7:30am to 4:30pm.
The MMR and other vaccines are available for children ages 0-18 years who have Medicaid, or no insurance at no-cost under the Vaccines for Children Program at the CHCC Immunization Clinic, Children’s Clinic, Rota Health Center, and Tinian Health Center
For adults and individuals who are insured, we recommend contacting your healthcare clinic or a pharmacy for your vaccines.
Vaccines are also available through our partners in the CNMI: Medical Associates of the Pacific, Marianas Medical Center, Kagman Isla Community Health, Southern Isla Community Health, Tinian Isla Community Health, and Brabu Pharmacy. Contact these locations for their vaccine availability and eligibility requirements.
Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles starts with fever, followed by cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out, starting at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.
Measles can cause serious health complications and may result in death, especially in children under 5 years of age and in infants under 1 year old, who are too young to be vaccinated against measles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, and one out of 1000 develops encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Nearly one to three out of 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
More information about measles is available at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.
CHCC would like to thank the CNMI community, especially parents and caregivers for doing your part to protect our children and community members against this serious health threat. (PR)
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