Now See Me 3: Understanding Vaccine Coverage Rates and Immunity to Measles

Vaccination is a crucial aspect of public health, and vaccine coverage rates can vary significantly depending on the level of government and geographic location. At the county or lower levels, MMR vaccine coverage rates may fluctuate greatly, with some states having much higher coverage levels than others.

According to data from 2017, 11 US states had MMR coverage levels below 90%. Despite this variation, the overall national coverage for MMR vaccine among children aged 19-35 months was a respectable 92.7%. Since the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program began measuring vaccine coverage in 1994, nationally, rates of people vaccinated against measles have been high and stable.

So, how do you know if you are immune to measles? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides several ways to determine immunity. For children under the age of 12 months who have not received a dose of the MMR vaccine, they are considered protected from measles if their mother has been vaccinated against measles or if they were born after March 1979 when the vaccine was introduced.

For adults and international travelers, the CDC considers you protected from measles if you have written documentation showing at least one of the following: having had measles at some point in your life; being an adult who will not be in a high-risk setting for measles transmission; or having received one dose of the MMR vaccine. Additionally, healthcare personnel and students at post-high school education institutions are considered protected if they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

In conclusion, understanding vaccine coverage rates is crucial to ensuring public health. While there may be variations in coverage levels across different regions, it is essential to recognize that high vaccination rates can help prevent outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. By knowing how to determine immunity and taking steps to protect yourself against measles, you can play a vital role in maintaining a healthy community.

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