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How Public Health Protects Us from Measles
You may have heard in the news that measles is on the rise. Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases, and it can be especially dangerous for young children. Measles was common in previous generations, but thanks to public health efforts, it is now rare in the United States. However, there are communities in the U.S. and Vermont that have low vaccination rates, which makes them more vulnerable to outbreaks. Measles is also still common in many parts of the world, and unvaccinated travelers can bring measles back to the U.S. with them.
In Vermont, most people have been vaccinated against measles, but rates are declining. Currently, 93% of school-aged children are vaccinated against measles, which is below the optimal 95% that provides the highest immunity for the community. Find your school or county vaccine data here.
Our relatively high vaccine rate is thanks to the robust vaccine programs Vermont has in place, ensuring that vaccines are free and accessible to all children and most adults.
What happens when someone in Vermont has measles?
Even one case of measles requires a significant public health response.
The Health Department team:
- Works with places where people might have been exposed to measles to notify those who were exposed and check if they’re protected.
- Offers free vaccines to anyone who is not already protected against measles.
- Coordinates antibody treatments to people who are at higher risk of getting very sick, like young children or people who are immunocompromised.
- Checks in with people who were around someone with measles regularly to see if they develop symptoms.
- Supports people who need to stay home and away from others with things like getting groceries or medicines, if needed.
- Keeps health care providers, partners and the public informed while maintaining people's privacy.
To sum it up
Measles is on the rise in the U.S. due to low vaccination rates. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones — especially if travel outside of the U.S. is planned. In Vermont, most people choose vaccination, but there are still areas that are more susceptible to outbreaks due to low rates of vaccination. Public health plays a key role in preventing the spread of measles by providing information, encouraging vaccination, running vaccination programs and having strong response protocols in place to prevent spread. Learn more about measles here.
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