Sources: CBS News.com; RedCrossBlood.org
According to Dr. David Agus of CBS News, those who were born before 1957 were most likely exposed to measles: about 97% of them have enough antibodies to fight the disease. But from 1963 to 1968, doctors gave only one shot, meaning immunity among those people may be a little lower than those who received two shots.
“If you’re going to a foreign country, or potentially going to college, or live in one of the areas where we’ve seen measles go up dramatically, you probably should see your doctor about a second shot,” Dr. Agus says.
“You can say, ‘Draw a blood test and see if I have a high enough level.’ (But) It’s a lot cheaper to just get the shot. (For) people who were vaccinated from 1963 to 1968 — that needs to happen.”
The measles can be particularly dangerous for adults who can develop life-threatening brain infections. The Centers For Disease Control has confirmed the largest number of cases — mostly in unvaccinated children — since measles was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000.
“We have to step up — this is a call to arms,” Dr. Agus says. “And I think it’s a watershed moment for the anti-vaxxers that hopefully they will go away.”
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