According to a recent Centers for Disease Control CDC announcement, the Measles Mumps Rubella vaccine can be given to infants younger than the usual age of administration which is 12 months. This is because of the measles resurgence in several states in the country and many countries globally.
The announcement is geared mainly towards children who will be traveling to the affected areas or who are likely to come in contact with other children in affected communities.
The memo below!
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), having reviewed current Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations and CDC guidance, recommends the
following for the administration of measles containing vaccination to infants 6 – 11 months old
(based on travel type):
1. International Travel for people 6 months of age and older traveling internationally:
a. Infants 6 – 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine.
b. Children 12 months of age and older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine
separated by at least 28 days.
c. Teenagers and adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles
should receive two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
2. Domestic Travel for infants 6 – 11 months of age, traveling to a state experiencing a
measles outbreak*, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine if:
a. The local public health authority for the travel destination has made a
recommendation to vaccinate infant residents; OR
b. The visiting infant will have direct contact with the affected community and may
be at risk of being exposed
In either of the above situations where vaccination of the infant is recommended, ACIP
recommends two more doses be given according to the routine schedule: one dose at 12 – 15
months and another dose at 4-6 years of age, or at least 28 days later.
*An up to date list of domestic jurisdictions monitoring ongoing measles outbreaks may be found
by accessing the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html
