FACTS TO KNOW AS MEASLES CASES SURGE TO 25 YEAR HIGH
- Measles is a highly contagious illness.
- People who are not protected against the disease who come in contact with someone with measles have a nearly 9 in 10 chance of developing measles.
- Mesa County’s vaccine rates are as low as 80% when it comes to the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- Alternative schools (1,064 students)
- 79.7% of students are up-to-date on MMR vaccine.
- 22.3% of students have at least one vaccine exemption.
- 9.5% of students are exempt for all vaccines.
- Elementary schools (8,796 students)
- 93.8% of students are up-to-date on MMR vaccine.
- 4.9% of students have at least one vaccine exemption.
- 1.6% of students are exempt for all vaccines.
- Middle schools (4,510 students)
- 95.3% of students are up-to-date on MMR vaccine
- 5.2% of students have at least one vaccine exemption.
- 1.0% of students are exempt for all vaccines.
- High schools (6,536 students)
- 95.9% of students are up-to-date on MMR vaccine.
- 3.9% of students have at least one vaccine exemption.
- 0.9% of students are exempt for all vaccines.
- Alternative schools (1,064 students)
- Vaccine hesitancy (i.e., lack of confidence in vaccines, perceived value, and convenience) is the number one reason why parents do not vaccinate their children or delay their immunization schedule.
- Get information from trusted sources:
- Talk to your health care provider about the benefits of vaccines and the possibility of adverse events.
- The measles vaccine usually provides protection in about two weeks.
- Mesa County Public Health has highly trained professionals willing to answer any questions about vaccines and help parents make the best decision for their children.
Read more about measles and what you need to know before the summer travel season here.
For more information, visit health.mesacounty.us.