New York infant measles death prompts questions about vaccine timing
Online conversations demonstrated confusion about the routine schedule and early MMR vaccination for infants.
Online conversations demonstrated confusion about the routine schedule and early MMR vaccination for infants.
The practical takeaway
Prepare messaging to help your organization and clinical partners clarify MMR vaccine timing and early dose recommendations.
What's happening
A series of reported measles deaths has renewed national conversations and questions around the MMR vaccination schedule and vaccine effectiveness.
On November 2, New York health officials reported the state’s first measles death in more than 30 years. Soon after, another death was reported in Pennsylvania and in a Wisconsin infant, the state’s first measles death since 1990.
Before the county coroner identified the New York child as an unvaccinated infant, social media users asked about the child’s age and vaccination status. Some noted that certain counties with outbreaks were recommending early vaccination, prompting confusion about when children typically receive their first MMR vaccine dose. Commenters also expressed frustration that declining vaccination rates have fueled measles outbreaks across the country. Others, however, cast doubt on whether measles caused the child’s death. In an emerging narrative, commenters falsely claimed that the MMR vaccine does not prevent infection and only reduces the severity of symptoms, comparing the MMR vaccine to flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Some also repeated false claims that vitamin A can treat measles.
Questions people are asking
- When should children receive their first MMR vaccine dose?
- Who can get an early MMR vaccine?
- Does the MMR vaccine actually prevent infection?
What you can do
Public-facing messaging: Clarify MMR vaccine timing and effectiveness. Encourage parents to consult a health care provider about vaccine timing and check health department notices for outbreak-related recommendations for early vaccination. Prebunk emerging false claims about effectiveness by explaining how two doses of the MMR vaccine help prevent infection for life.
Clinical coordination: Equip health care partners with talking points on vaccine timing. Prepare clinicians to potentially get an increase in questions about vaccine timing for circumstances like outbreaks or international travel.
FAQs and websites: Update measles resources to address questions about early vaccination and exposure. Include guidance on when infants may qualify for an early MMR dose and what to do after a possible exposure.
Learn more about the Infodemiology Initiative’s monitoring methods.