Recent measles-related deaths in New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin have prompted online questions about the MMR vaccination schedule and vaccine effectiveness. Following reports of an unvaccinated infant’s death in New York, some commenters asked when children should receive their first MMR dose and whether infants can be vaccinated early during outbreaks. Other commenters questioned whether measles caused the New York infant’s death or falsely claimed that the MMR vaccine only reduces illness severity rather than preventing infection. Some also repeated false claims about vitamin A as a measles treatment.
Recommendation
Communicators may use the recent reports to clarify the routine MMR vaccination schedule and when early vaccination may be recommended during outbreaks or before international travel. Messaging may explain how effectively the MMR vaccine prevents infection and why infants who receive an early dose still need to complete the routine vaccination series. Health care providers can also help parents understand vaccine timing and what to do following a possible measles exposure.
Reading links: NBC News
Communication resources: Explore talking points, resources, and tools to help communicate about measles
