State health officials are now recommending an early measles vaccine dose for some infants in Washtenaw County and nearby areas as concerns grow about possible community transmission.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced April 2 that infants ages 6 to 11 months should get an accelerated first MMR dose if they live in Washtenaw, Monroe, Wayne, Oakland, Jackson, Livingston or Lenawee counties, or if they are traveling to Washtenaw or Monroe counties. The recommendation is in effect through May 16.
The update comes after seven measles cases were identified in Washtenaw County and an eighth case was confirmed in neighboring Monroe County. State officials said the Monroe case has not been definitively linked to the Washtenaw outbreak or to travel, but its timing and proximity raised concerns that community transmission may be occurring.
“Measles is incredibly transmissible, and we are now seeing possible spread outside the initial outbreak in Washtenaw County,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state’s chief medical executive, said in a statement.
The MMR vaccine is routinely recommended at 12 to 15 months, but state officials said infants who receive this early dose will still need two additional doses after 12 months to complete the series. MDHHS is urging families to talk with their health care provider about vaccination recommendations.
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