How can a parent know if their child is at risk for developing measles?
Any child is at risk for developing measles if they meet these two conditions: (1) The child has not been vaccinated, and (2) The child has been exposed to someone who is in the contagious stage of measles. Here is more information on those two conditions: (1) All children should get their first measles vaccine at age 1 year and then again just before kindergarten (usually at age 4 or 5 years). If your child is between age 1 and age 5, he or she is considered protected from the disease. If your child is older than age 5 and has not been vaccinated since his or her first birthday, a second vaccine is recommended. But, your child is likely (better than 95% chance) protected and is not likely to get measles, even if exposed. Most children get the measles vaccine in combination with mumps and rubella (German measles) in a vaccine known as MMR. (2) San Diego Countys health department (County of San Diego–Health and Human Services Agency) has been tracking down the places where children who
