A measles outbreak in West Texas has raised concerns among parents, particularly those with young infants like Davery Jaso, whose 3-week-old twins are too young to be vaccinated. With nearly 500 cases reported in the US this year, most of which have been confirmed in Texas, Jaso is taking precautions such as air purifiers throughout her home.
According to Dr. Lara Johnson, chief medical officer at Covenant Health in Lubbock, administering an extra dose of the measles vaccine as early as 6 months old may provide added protection against the outbreak. The CDC recommends a first dose between 12-15 months and a second dose between 4-6 years old.
While some parents have expressed concerns about the safety of the vaccine for younger children, Johnson assures that there are “no significant concerns” with early administration. In fact, her hospital has administered over 60 extra doses to infants from 6-12 months old at their request.
The US has seen a significant increase in measles cases this year, surpassing the number of infections in all of 2024. The outbreak is particularly concerning among unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, affecting nearly 97% of reported cases.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mother-protect-infant-twins-amid-growing-measles-outbreak-texas