If you watched new episodes of Scooby Doo on Saturday morning, rebuilt Colonel Steve Austin or rocked a Big Wheel down the block, you may want to talk to your doctor about getting re-vaccinated for Measles.
The Centers for Disease Control say some people born between 1963 and 1967 received a single dose inactive or killed vaccine, which doesn’t provide the 97 percent life-long protection that you get from the modern versions of the double dose measles vaccine.
The warning comes at a time when a national outbreak is sweeping the nation.
More than 2,300 cases nationwide, 142 of which have been reported in Pennsylvania, 4 cases in Berks County, 3 cases in Montgomery County and 14 cases in Chester County.
62 percent of those cases being people over 18.
“We have an epidemic on our hands. There’s absolutely no question about it,” said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre with St. Luke’s University Health Network.
Jahre says the outbreak has taken our population below herd immunity, or 95 percent of people immune from measles, one of the most highly contagious viral diseases.
He says if you were born between ‘63 and ‘67, check your shot records to see if you got the single dose.
And if you don’t have those records and want to be protected…
“There isn’t any harm in getting that that additional shot. So, if I were you at this point in time, when there’s some doubt, I would just go ahead and get that second MMR,” said Dr. Jahre.
As with any health concern, you want to make you talk to your doctor first so you can weigh your options.