Measles Cases Spreading Nationally, Vaccination Encouraged
Published on March 04, 2025
Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is alerting the community of the emergence of measles cases throughout the United States and parts of Canada. Measles is a serious disease that is preventable through vaccination. While there are no current cases of measles reported in Upstate New York (there have been 2 cases reported in New York City this year), we urge everyone to be aware of this public health concern and take steps to prevent contracting measles. As the outbreak in Texas grows (159 cases reported on 03/04/2025), the risk of infected people traveling around the country and exposing others increases.
Measles is a highly contagious virus. It is easily spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by direct contact with a contaminated surface. Symptoms can take between 7-14 days from exposure to occur. Measles can often be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses, as symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny or congested nose, sore throat and watery eyes. A red and blotchy rash may occur within 3-5 days following the start of cold-like symptoms, with the rash usually appearing on the face first. The rash may spread down the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet, and spots may join together as they spread. When the rash appears, fever temperatures may rise above 104° Fahrenheit.
Complications from measles are serious and include very high fever, ear infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Risks also include permanent loss of hearing, vision, and the development of learning disabilities. There is no cure for measles, only treatment for symptom relief. Measles is especially dangerous for those who are unvaccinated, for young children, and for those who are immunocompromised. Being unvaccinated increases risks for severe complications, hospitalization and death.
In 2024, 40% of persons reported to have measles needed to be hospitalized. Half of the hospitalized cases were in children under age 5.
Measles is highly preventable by receiving a two-dose series of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. The MMR vaccine has an effective rate of 97%.
Because measles is so contagious, a community must have 95 of every 100 persons (95%) vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity and prevent spread. MMR vaccination rates in Tompkins County for children between ages two and three is 85%. This rate is below the 95% target, making young children, more susceptible. The statewide MMR vaccination rate of children entering kindergarten is 97%. Children should receive their first MMR dose between one and two years of age, and the second dose between four and six years of age (typically before entering school).
If you were born before 1957 you are considered immune. People born after 1957 usually receive their vaccination as children. Teens and adults who have not received the vaccine can get the two doses or be caught up on any missed doses.
If you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated, you will need to wait until after your pregnancy to be vaccinated. If an outbreak occurs, please speak to your healthcare provider about protecting yourself while pregnant, as well as how to protect your infant.
TCWH Director of Community Health Services Rachel Buckwalter stated, “Measles is a terrible virus with a very high infection rate in unvaccinated populations. The MMR vaccine is very effective at preventing measles. We strongly encourage families to make sure their children, especially those under age 5, stay up to date on their vaccination schedule.”
TCWH Medical Director Dr. William Klepack stated, “The decline of the MMR vaccination rate is the cause of the outbreak we are seeing in Texas. There is nothing “normal” about a measles outbreak. Every case of measles is highly contagious and very dangerous. For every 10 unvaccinated persons exposed, 9 will come down with the disease and expose others. Measles is as close to all of us as one infected person flying or driving into our area, which has happened in years past. Measles is preventable - we know how to protect ourselves. We have a highly effective and safe vaccine. Do not fall for the misinformation you may see. MMR vaccine is your protection against a serious disease. Please protect your family by getting yourself and your children vaccinated.”
Dr. Klepack continued, “Vaccination in our region has decreased too far in recent years. Too many people in our region have chosen not to be fully vaccinated for us to be protected from a serious outbreak. It makes the spread of measles in our region very likely should we have a case come here. Our local rate of only 85% vaccination rate for children between ages two and three is unacceptably low. We should be concerned about our low vaccination rates, as the risk of hospitalization significantly increases for those unvaccinated, especially if under the age of 5. For everyone 100 persons hospitalized from measles, we can expect up to 3-4 deaths to occur.”
If you are unsure of your vaccination status, please talk to your healthcare provider or call our Community Health Services team at 607-274-6604 to receive assistance in checking your vaccine records. Children and adults who have a primary healthcare provider can likely be vaccinated in their office.
Tompkins County Whole Health offers low or no-cost immunization clinics every Friday through the New York State funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Vaccines for Adult (VFA) programs. Clinics are open from 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm by appointment only.
Children may be eligible for participation in our Friday clinics if they:
- Do not have insurance, or
- Are currently enrolled in Medicaid, or
- Have Child Health Plus, or
- Are underinsured: their insurance does not cover the vaccine, or
- Are Native American or Alaska Native
Adults ages 19 and older who are under-insured (insurance does not cover the vaccine) or do not have insurance may be eligible to participate in our clinics as well. College students, regardless of insurance status, can receive the MMR vaccine at our clinics. Call our office at 607-274-6604 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
Parents can find out more about the recommended immunization schedules at: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents
Learn more about Whole Health’s Community Health Services and Immunization Clinics online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health/immunizations
Learn more about measles and stay up to date on disease prevalence by visiting our measles webpage.
Tompkins County Whole Health: envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Sign up to receive Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text.
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