A confirmed case of measles in Frankfort and a measles outbreak in Texas that claimed the life of an unvaccinated child are reminders the disease hasn’t gone away. Dr. Elizabeth Hawse is a Lexington pediatrician and the state immunization representative for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She said some adults may need another dose of the vaccine.
“Everybody born after 1989 should have had two doses of measles vaccine to go to school. I'm older than that. I had a measles vaccine as a baby, and then there was a measles outbreak while we were in college.”
Hawse said that national outbreak beginning in 1989 prompted medical groups to recommend a second dose, which she received. With misinformation and disinformation easily available on the Internet, Hawse has this message for doubting parents:
“As much as I love my patients, I love my own children more, and they are fully vaccinated, and I don't know what better testimony I can give than that.”
Hawse said the measles vaccine is 97 percent effective after two doses and gives lifelong immunity.
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