With the measles outbreak in Texas reaching nearly 160 cases as of Tuesday, health care professionals are recommending North Texans get vaccinated if they haven't already.
The measles vaccine is the only effective way of stopping the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is over 95% effective in preventing infection, and prevents the spread of the virus when more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated (what's known as herd immunity).
While immunity is typically lifelong, people who received an early iteration of the measles vaccine may want to consider getting another shot. Compared to the current MMR vaccine, which contains weakened forms of the measles, mumps and rubella viruses, the earlier measles shot contained inactivated (or killed) virus and was less effective.
Immunity from that vaccine, which was available from 1963 to 1967, doesn't last as long, said Scott C. Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Breaking News
Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond.
SIGN UP
Or with:
GoogleFacebook
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The CDC recommends anyone vaccinated before 1968 with the inactivated measles vaccine or other measles vaccine to get revaccinated.
People born before 1957, when measles was widespread in the United States, are likely immune due to natural infection, according to the CDC.
Advertisement
If you're interested in checking your immunity status, there is a blood test for antibodies to the virus, Weaver said. The test can't distinguish between natural or vaccine-induced immunity, he noted, but "it will tell you whether you have immunity and if you have a reasonable antibody [concentration] so you don't need to worry about getting boosted."
Miriam Fauzia is a science reporting fellow at The Dallas Morning News. Her fellowship is supported by the University of Texas at Dallas. The News makes all editorial decisions.
Related StoriesView MoreWill measles outbreak come to Dallas-Fort Worth? 'Pockets of unvaccinated' could play roleTexas health official warns against 'measles parties' amid pleas for more vaccinations Map: These Texas schools have low measles vaccination ratesNorth Texas parents are worried about the measles outbreak. Here's what doctors say