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Advice for Parents About Their Babies and Measles Vaccine

NBC4's Dr. Bruce Hensel offers parents advice on when to get babies vaccinated for measles

In the wake of the current measles outbreak, many parents are concerned about when to get their babies the MMR vaccine. NBC4’s Dr. Bruce Hensel has answers and advice.

Question: Why can’t I vaccinate my 6 month old?

Dr. Bruce’s Answer: Your child should get the first MMR vaccine after their first birthday. A booster shot should be given at age 5, before the child starts school. Vaccines that are given before 6 months are for viruses that the mother does not have immunity against, such as hepatitis. If a mother had the MMR vaccine and booster, she is immune and passes her antibodies to her baby during pregnancy and breast feeding and the baby is immune.

Question: Why can’t I vaccinate my baby before 1 year? Why can’t they start earlier?

Dr. Bruce’s Answer: The CDC does not recommend getting your child vaccinated before 1 year. This is largely due to limited research on the effectiveness of the vaccine between 6 and 12 months. If your baby was to get the shot at 6 months, he or she will still need to get another one after a year.

Question: What about children older than one who go to day care or preschool?

Dr. Bruce’s Answer: Definitely get the vaccine after 1 year. Even if your child is vaccinated, check to make sure that the other children have all of their vaccines and that the center has a policy to wash hands often. If your child has a cough or other flu-like symptoms, keep him or her home.

Realize that, since measles is contagious four days before symptoms, there is always a tiny chance someone who had it visited before he or she was sick. However, the chance is very remote if there have not been any cases near you.

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