If you were vaccinated against measles in the 1970s or 1980s, your protection may now have worn off, some doctors have warned.
Amid the current measles outbreak in Florida, Jill Roberts, associate professor in the USF School of Public Health, spoke to FOX 13 in Tampa about the possibility that traditional vaccines may become less effective over time.
The measles vaccine was first introduced in 1968.
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Three years later, in 1971, the MMR vaccine debuted.
This combination vaccine provides triple protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Some doctors have warned that if you were vaccinated against measles in the 70s or 80s, your protection may now have worn off. (St. Petersburg)
Decades after the release of the MMR vaccine, measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
For people who were vaccinated against measles in the 70s and 80s (mostly people now in their 40s and 50s), Roberts recommends checking with your health care provider about your situation.
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“There’s no risk in taking MMR again. If you’re not sure, go get it again,” she advised. “They are inexpensive and widely available.”
Measles is a highly contagious virus for people who have not been previously infected or vaccinated, with up to a 90% chance of infection, Roberts warned.
For people who were vaccinated against measles in the 70s and 80s, primarily those now in their 40s and 50s, Professor Roberts recommends checking with their health care provider about their immune status. (George Fry/Getty Images)
Dr. Jacob Granville, a virology expert and founder of San Francisco drug company Sentivax, warned of recent outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities.
“If you’ve had the MMR vaccine, you’re likely still immune, but if you’re concerned, ask your doctor about a measles titer test,” he told Fox News Digital.
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Titer tests measure a person’s level of immunity to the virus.
Dr. Mark Siegel, Clinical Professor, School of Medicine New York University Langone Medical Center The Fox News medical contributor emphasized the importance of measles vaccination. “Especially given that there is a large amount of measles virus circulating and unvaccinated people coming into the United States during a measles outbreak around the world.”
As of February 29, a total of 41 measles cases have been reported from 16 jurisdictions in the United States. (St. Petersburg)
“While this is not yet an official proposal, I am checking the measles titers in many of my patients and if they are low I may give them a booster shot as a precaution,” he told Fox News. told Digital.
“The protection provided by the original vaccine may be lost over time.”
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As of February 29, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington state.
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