Measles outbreak: Which Oklahoma counties are behind on vaccinations? Do I need a booster?
The highly contagious measles virus – which has claimed the life of two children in Texas – has spread into the South and Midwest, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting measles cases in Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and Ohio.
Since the late January start, Oklahoma's southern neighbor, Texas, has accumulated 624 of the nation's 800 confirmed cases. While most cases have stayed away from the Oklahoma border, there have still been confirmed ties between the two states' cases.
As of April 22, there are 13 cases in Oklahoma. Unlike Texas and Kansas, Oklahoma does not currently indicate which counties have reported measles cases.
Amid the recent measles outbreaks, the CDC said people should be on the lookout for those who may have the virus and take precautions if they haven't been vaccinated.
Here's a look at what medical experts recommend and what to know about vaccines for measles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 95% of the population requires the two required doses of the measles vaccine to achieve herd immunity. This immunity protects not only those who are vaccinated but also those who are not, by reducing the overall spread of the disease.
In Oklahoma, only 25 counties do not have an up-to-date MMR vaccination status of 95% or higher, according to the 2023-24 Oklahoma Kindergarten Immunization Survey. These counties include:
Atoka (94%)
Bryan (94%)
Canadian (94%)
Cotton (94%)
Cimarron (91%)
Creek (93%)
Dewey (89%)
Garvin (94%)
Grant (90%)
Greer (94%)
Haskell (94%)
Jefferson (94%)
Kingfisher (93%)
Lincoln (93%)
Major (92%)
Mayes (94%)
McClain (92%)
Nowata (94%)
Oklahoma (94%)
Pushmataha (89%)
Rogers (94%)
Sequoyah (94%)
Wagoner (91%)
Washita (94%)
Woodward (94%)
The best way to defend against measles is to get the measles vaccine. The vaccine is usually given alongside the rubella and mumps vaccine, effectively naming it the MMR vaccine. It is recommended for all children ages 12 to 15 months and again at 4-6 years old.
If someone does not receive a second dose of the vaccine from ages 4-6, it may be administered at any age thereafter. The two doses of vaccine normally provide lifelong immunity.
Due to the vaccine's strong efficacy, you don't need to get a booster of the measles vaccine if you already had two doses of the childhood measles vaccine. Consult your doctor if you have questions.
If you only received one dose of the vaccine and work in education, the health care sector, child care or other fields where you're consistently around children or sick people, or if you intend to travel internationally, you might need a booster and should speak to your doctor.
The only fully endorsed protection by health experts against measles is the vaccine.
As with any airborne infectious disease, KN95 masks offer some protection, as do handwashing and isolation. However, masking should not be relied upon for complete protection.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has recently touted vitamin A as a way to prevent measles, but there is no evidence that vitamin A will prevent measles, medical experts say. And some children in Texas who contracted measles are being treated for vitamin A toxicity, a condition where someone has too much of the vitamin, which can damage the liver and brain.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Measles outbreak: Which Oklahoma counties are behind on vaccinations?
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