Measles is on the rise across the world and country. As flu, COVID and RSV continue to be a concern, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an alert urging healthcare providers in the U.S. to be vigilant for measles outbreak after 23 cases were confirmed in several different states between December 1, 2023, and January 23, 2024.
Resources
To help combat measles and raise awareness, the CDC has compiled a Measles Outbreak Toolkit for Healthcare Providers for effective ways to educate, communicate and raise awareness about measles with parents and their families.
Combating the Measles Outbreak
According to the CDC Over 61 million doses of measles-containing vaccine were postponed or missed from 2020 to 2022 due to COVID-19. Low vaccination rates in the US, especially among children, are a concern, and healthcare experts emphasize the severity of measles and the importance of vaccination.
The CDC recommends routine childhood immunization for MMR vaccine starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age or at least 28 days following the first dose. The measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine is also available to children 12 months through 12 years of age; the minimum interval between doses is three months.
CPP Discounts
CPP members receive discounted pricing on Merck’s MMR® II and ProQuad® vaccines. For updated member pricing sheets, please contact the CPP office.
