2 days ago
Doctors recommend MMR vaccine amid measles outbreaks
(WKBN) — The Centers for Disease Control recently issued a travel warning for Americans as measles cases continue to rise around the world.
Doctors say kids who are not vaccinated are at higher risk for serious problems from measles. The MMR vaccine helps protect against measles, mumps and rubella and has been used for many years.
Dr. Camille Sabella with the Cleveland Clinic is a pediatric infectious disease specialist. She says the first dose of the MMR vaccine is given when a child is about 12 months old, and the second dose is given between 4 and 6 years old.
Sabella says measles is a very contagious illness that spreads through coughing and sneezing.
'Most cases of measles in this country, and most of the outbreaks that we've had, began with someone who was not fully vaccinated against measles traveling internationally where measles is incredibly common,' Sabella said.
Sabella says if you've recently traveled and have a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose or red, watery eyes, you should see a doctor right away but make sure you call before you go because you could be contagious.
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