Latest news with #OklahomaKindergartenImmunizationSurvey
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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?
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
As number of measles cases in Oklahoma grows, health officials release public exposure sites
A total of four cases of measles have been confirmed in Oklahoma as of Friday. (Getty Images) (This photo cannot be republished without a Getty subscription.) OKLAHOMA CITY — As the number of measles cases in the state grew by two, health officials for the first time have publicly identified possible exposure sites in Owasso and Claremore. The State Department of Health reported the first probable cases of measles in Oklahoma Tuesday, but said Friday evening that two additional cases had been identified. All four individuals were unvaccinated, according to a news release, but their ages were not disclosed. All four are linked to measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, which is confirmed to have killed at least one child and sickened almost 300 people. The new cases were reported to the health department Friday and the agency 'immediately began its investigation,' according to a press release. The health department said the public may have been exposed to measles at five public locations in Owasso and Claremore, including a Kohl's, an Aldi, a Walmart Supercenter, a Sam's Club and Sprouts Farmers Market. Measles can be prevented with a Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine which is recommended for children at 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years old. Receiving two doses of the vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing measles, and one dose is about 93% effective, the health department reported in a statement. Almost 92% of surveyed Oklahoma kindergartners were up to date on their MMR vaccines, according to the 2023-24 Oklahoma Kindergarten Immunization Survey. The agency urged people who have been exposed to measles or are experiencing symptoms to report this to the department and exclude themselves from public settings. The health department is 'working closely' with the Tulsa Health Department to investigate and plans to share future updates and public setting exposures as they are identified. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
First measles cases reported in Oklahoma, but public health officials remain mum on details
A nurse gives a measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine, which is over 90% effective at preventing measles, on April 29, 2019 in Provo, Utah. Two cases of measles have been in reported in Oklahoma as of Tuesday. (Photo by) (This photo cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.) OKLAHOMA CITY — State health officials on Tuesday said they've confirmed the first two cases of measles in Oklahoma amid an ongoing outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. But Oklahoma State Health Department officials did not share where in Oklahoma those cases were diagnosed or how old the individuals are. They said they believe the exposures were associated with the outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, which is confirmed to have killed one child and sickened over 250 people. Erica Rankin, a spokesperson for the state health department, said Oklahoma's two cases present 'no further risk to public safety.' The agency only releases geographic information about measles cases when there is a 'public health risk' and all potential exposures cannot be identified. Three or more related cases is considered an outbreak, she said. It was unclear Tuesday afternoon whether the individuals were vaccinated against the measles. Health officials did say the two cases are unrelated to an erroneous report of measles in Bartlesville on March 4. The two confirmed cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are under investigation. 'If a measles case is identified, the OSDH team will work with the individual on next steps and guidance to mitigate the spread and protect others,' said Kendra Dougherty, the Health Department's director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Response, in a statement. 'If there is a risk of spread to the public, the OSDH will notify the public and share any information necessary to protect the health of Oklahomans.' With outbreaks in neighboring states, the Oklahoma Health Department, or OSDH, has been on 'high alert' and monitoring for cases in the state, according to a statement from the department. 'These cases highlight the importance of being aware of measles activity as people travel or host visitors,' Dougherty said. 'When people know they have exposure risk and do not have immunity to measles, they can exclude themselves from public settings for the recommended duration to eliminate the risk of transmission in their community.' Measles can be prevented with an MMR vaccine which is recommended for children at 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years old. Receiving two doses of the vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing measles, and one dose is about 93% effective, the Health Department reported in a statement. Almost 92% of Oklahoma kindergartners were up to date on their MMR vaccines, according to the 2023-24 Oklahoma Kindergarten Immunization Survey. The department recommended that individuals with known exposure to measles who are not immune through vaccination or prior infection consult with a health care provider and 'exclude themselves from public settings for 21 days unless symptoms develop.' To confirm a report of the measles, the case must show symptoms and have a test confirming the diagnosis. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
