In 2011 there were 222 cases of measles reported in the US which was the highest number since 1996. This included 72 imported cases, mainly from Western Europe. Most importantly, over 60% of the 2011 US cases occurred in patients who were eligible for the vaccine and therefore were likely preventable.
So which patients should get the MMR vaccine?
Current recommendations include a first MMR at 12-15 mo and a second MMR at 4-6 yo. The majority of my patients follow this recommendation. However, fewer families follow the recommendation that infants 6-12 mo who are traveling internationally also get at least one dose of MMR in addition to the other two MMR doses already mentioned. I think this is because many parents are not aware of the international travel recommendation for measles protection, especially when planning to travel to Western Europe, Canada, or Mexico.
The take home message is that parents should start the process for appropriate travel health planning as soon as possible after booking the travel. I suggest that parents first review the current US government recs for travel to the specific country or countries on their itinerary by looking it up on www.cdc.gov/travel and then contact our office or bring it up at the next well check (if time allows) so we can help make appropriate plans. These plans will include confirmation that maximum MMR protection is achieved.
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