Med Tip April 2026

Listen Up Grandpa! - Your Grandchildren Need Your Help!

Excluding 2025 and 2026, when was the last time you heard about a measles (rubeola) outbreak? The answer is: not since 2000 when measles was declared eradicated in the U.S. For the full year of 2025 there were 2,285 cases, but as of March 26, 2026 there are already 1,575 confirmed cases and many more diagnosed clinically, but without blood test confirmation. There have been16 new outbreaks reported in 2026 (48 reported in 2025). Virginia has confirmed 15 cases.

What’s Changed?

Quite simply we have “thrown the baby out with the bathwater.” Due to the Covid-19 fiasco with vaccinations being protective for only 6 months, too many folks have become total “anti-vaxers.” Of new measles' cases, 92% were unvaccinated and 7% were improperly vaccinated. Measles is a highly contagious disease and you can be infected just being in the same room with someone who has measles. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination is safe and effective, but in recent years the coverage among kindergarteners has dropped below 95%, the target for prevention. We are also seeing a rise in global measles activity with travelers returning to the U.S. with infection obtained while in another country.

How Serious is Measles?

Before eradication, 48,000 people were hospitalized and 400-500 people died every year. Symptoms appear 7-14 days after infection and include the following:

High fever spikes to 104 +/- degrees which may cause convulsions.
Cough; runny nose; and red, watery eyes.
2 days later, white spots (Koplik spots) appear inside the mouth.
3-5 days later the measles rash appears, often with another spike in temperature.
one out of ten develop ear infections and permanent hearing loss may occur.

How do we stop it?

Resume vaccination! Two doses of MMR vaccine will give life-long protection. The first dose is given between 12-15 months of age and the second is given between 4-6 years of age. Older children and adults without evidence of immunization should have 1-2 doses separated by at least 28 days. International travel, especially to a country where measles is known to be prevalent, is a strong indication for vaccination. Infants 6-12 months receive one dose before travel and 2 more doses after their first birthday. If you don’t have immunity and are exposed to a person with measles, get an MMR vaccine ASAP. Immunization within 72 hours of exposure may provide some protection and a milder case results.

OK, GPa - Call your son or daughter and make sure those grandbabies are vaccinated.

Medical Tip from Charles Driscoll, MD VASSAR State Surgeon

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