The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert to doctors to increase awareness of the international spread of measles, and urged them to vaccinate infants a few months ahead of the typical schedule if families are planning to go abroad.
The warning comes ahead of the busy spring and summer travel season. Many countries, including Austria, Philippines, Romania and the United Kingdom–destinations frequented by American tourists–are experiencing measles outbreaks.
The CDC also warned about lagging vaccination rates in 36 US states where fewer than 95% of kindergarteners have been vaccinated against measles, putting them below the herd immunity threshold.
The George Washington University has experts available to discuss this recommendation, what parents need to know and who is most at risk. If you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum, [email protected].
Jose Lucar is an associate professor of infectious diseases at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Maria Elena Ruiz is an associate professor of medicine and an infectious disease expert at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Emily Smith, is an associate professor of global health and an expert in infectious diseases and epidemiology, at the GW University Milken Institute School of Public Health.
David Diemert is the clinical director of the GW University Vaccine Research unit and professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
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