CDC Updates Measles Vaccination Recommendations for International Travelers
U.S. health authorities have revised their guidance on measles vaccinations for international travelers, now advising that all Americans should be vaccinated against the virus, regardless of their destination.
Key Changes in CDC recommendations
- Global Vaccination: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination for all U.S. residents, a shift from previous guidelines that primarily emphasized vaccination for those traveling to countries experiencing outbreaks.
- Updated Guidelines: The CDC updated its guidelines last week, extending the vaccination proposal to travelers heading to all international destinations.
Expert Insights
Ashley Darcy-Mahoney, a researcher at the George Washington University School, emphasized the significance of this update. We are seeing a change of outbreaks to transmission in transit, and the CDC seem to be responding to that.
Darcy-Mahoney noted that a recent measles outbreak in Colorado originated from an international flight landing in Denver.He explained that the change in the CDC travel notice reflects recognition that people are not onyl being exposed to measles in countries where they are spreading, but also in airplanes and during the trip.
Vaccination Details
- Recommended Dosage: The updated travel notice advises two doses of the MMR vaccine for all Americans aged one year and older.
- Infants: An early dose is recommended for babies aged six to 11 months who are traveling internationally.
Measles Cases in the U.S.
The United States has reported more than 1,000 measles cases this year.
