‘Best Defense’: Kansas health officials urge effectiveness of measles vaccine
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Health officials have warned parents that the best defense against measles as a now-fatal outbreak continues is to get their children vaccinated.
The KCTV5 News that leaders will continue to follow the recent domestic and global measles outbreak incredibly closely. In fact, guidance has been issued to providers statewide following information dispatched from Texas.
According to the KDHE, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported that 124 cases of the measles had been reported since late January - 18 of those patients have been hospitalized while 1 has died. Of those 124 cases, only 5 patients were vaccinated.
Kansas health leaders noted that the best defense against measles is the MMR vaccine - just 2 doses are 97% effective against the disease. When more than 95% of individuals in a community are vaccinated, most are protected through herd immunity.
In Kansas, the KDHE indicated that 90.2% of kindergarten students were up to date on their MMR vaccine for the 2023-34 academic year. The statewide exemption rate for that same year was just below 3%.
For more regional and immunization data regarding measles, click HERE.
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