Back in 2015 I went back to grad school, and this being Massachusetts they required a measles titer and not just documentation of vaccination. Lo and behold, my childhood measles vaccine was no longer providing protection, and I had to get a new pair of MMR shots. (Yes, I'm in _that_ age group.)
So one thing I'd add to your discussion above is that people shouldn't assume that just because we were inoculated against measles decades ago, we're still covered.
Currently, I do not believe checking for titers is routine in primary care, though as you say, in some jobs, it'll be part of the vaccination records they request. I suppose if this disease becomes more common, that could change.
"We should be leading the fight against viruses like measles, not aiding and abetting them!" - Amen. -- Just because it awakened a long-dormant memory: Like many my age, I had measles at about age 5. It was memorable, because it coincided with the first real snowstorm in Houston in many years, and I couldn't go out to play in it, so my father built me a snowman that I could watch from the window. The snowman disappeared before I recovered. -- Seriously, though: we need to consider how we have gotten to the point where doctors are ignoring or denying solid medical evidence in favor of advancing political agendas. (Of course, the AMA was long the primary opponent of changes to make health care more widely available, or even universal - but perhaps that doesn't count as 'medical' ...). But I digress: "Vaccines work. Vaccines are the answer. Vaccines, folks!"
I also remember the exact minute I became ill with measles. It was memorable! I was 8 or so and at the movie theater so I assume I passed it on to many people.
Another important complication of measles is hearing loss, independent of encephalitis. (The Florida surgeon general’s response to this outbreak is almost criminal!).
I know my brain goes odd places, but as I read the description of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis I wondered if any medieval cases of this triggered witch hunts. It certainly seems an illness with these symptoms suddenly occurring in a seemingly healthy adolescent would have been attributed to some type of evil, otherworldly cause.
Yes, I want to know who should get re-vaccinated. I've had measles (pre-1965) and was vaccinated in 1990 (med school made me get vaccinated since I had no proof of vaccination). Now, at age 67 what should I do?
Currently, there is no general recommendation on this (ie, not thought to be routinely needed). But obviously this could change in the future. As of now, I am not urging any of my older relatives to seek re-vaccination. Hopefully that will never become necessary
I do know that. And thanks. Kennedy and his vile ilk create non profits that raise huge money to pay themselves and to lobby - legal bribe in reality- politicians to do their bidding. And carry the anti-science banner. I see no other groups fighting for science, as strongly as they fight against. Now we fight measles. Again. And you’ll be on the frontlines, as well as others, while that madman in Florida is the other disease that needs addressing.
Back in 2015 I went back to grad school, and this being Massachusetts they required a measles titer and not just documentation of vaccination. Lo and behold, my childhood measles vaccine was no longer providing protection, and I had to get a new pair of MMR shots. (Yes, I'm in _that_ age group.)
So one thing I'd add to your discussion above is that people shouldn't assume that just because we were inoculated against measles decades ago, we're still covered.
Hi Andrew, Yeah great flag.
Currently, I do not believe checking for titers is routine in primary care, though as you say, in some jobs, it'll be part of the vaccination records they request. I suppose if this disease becomes more common, that could change.
"We should be leading the fight against viruses like measles, not aiding and abetting them!" - Amen. -- Just because it awakened a long-dormant memory: Like many my age, I had measles at about age 5. It was memorable, because it coincided with the first real snowstorm in Houston in many years, and I couldn't go out to play in it, so my father built me a snowman that I could watch from the window. The snowman disappeared before I recovered. -- Seriously, though: we need to consider how we have gotten to the point where doctors are ignoring or denying solid medical evidence in favor of advancing political agendas. (Of course, the AMA was long the primary opponent of changes to make health care more widely available, or even universal - but perhaps that doesn't count as 'medical' ...). But I digress: "Vaccines work. Vaccines are the answer. Vaccines, folks!"
It's sad that politicians think that being anti-vax would HELP their careers.
I also remember the exact minute I became ill with measles. It was memorable! I was 8 or so and at the movie theater so I assume I passed it on to many people.
😮 I hope that remains a thing of the past for all of us!
Another important complication of measles is hearing loss, independent of encephalitis. (The Florida surgeon general’s response to this outbreak is almost criminal!).
Yes absolutely true. Thank you for pointing out the hearing loss that can happen.
(And yes, agreed re: Lapado)
I know my brain goes odd places, but as I read the description of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis I wondered if any medieval cases of this triggered witch hunts. It certainly seems an illness with these symptoms suddenly occurring in a seemingly healthy adolescent would have been attributed to some type of evil, otherworldly cause.
Do older adults need to be vaccinated again? I am still baffled that the false narrative of vaccines continues to be believed.
Yes, I want to know who should get re-vaccinated. I've had measles (pre-1965) and was vaccinated in 1990 (med school made me get vaccinated since I had no proof of vaccination). Now, at age 67 what should I do?
Currently, there is no general recommendation on this (ie, not thought to be routinely needed). But obviously this could change in the future. As of now, I am not urging any of my older relatives to seek re-vaccination. Hopefully that will never become necessary
Maybe honest and honorable doctors could lead the fight against the vile and dangerous who willingly spread lies about science for power and money.
I do think many of my colleagues are doing great work on the frontlines.
I do know that. And thanks. Kennedy and his vile ilk create non profits that raise huge money to pay themselves and to lobby - legal bribe in reality- politicians to do their bidding. And carry the anti-science banner. I see no other groups fighting for science, as strongly as they fight against. Now we fight measles. Again. And you’ll be on the frontlines, as well as others, while that madman in Florida is the other disease that needs addressing.
Yeah it’s sad.