(BEDFORD) – Although there are no current cases of measles in Indiana, outbreaks in 30 states have public health officials on alert and reminding everyone to ensure they have received the appropriate vaccinations.
“If we were ever to have a measles outbreak in Indiana or on one of our campuses, it will be critical that all faculty and staff know what vaccines they’ve received and have documentation of receiving them,” said Dr. Beth Rupp, medical director of the IU Health Center.
The best way to prevent measles is to have had two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or MMR, which are about 97 percent effective against measles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, recommends anyone vaccinated between 1963 and 1967 receive an additional dose of the MMR vaccine due to a less effective vaccine used in those years. Those born before 1957 are presumed to be immune without documented proof.
Those unsure of their vaccination records should check with their primary care provider. IU health insurance plans cover the MMR vaccine as a preventive health service.
