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IKC is pleased to share the latest measles/MMR vaccine information and resources. We will continue to update this page as the situation evolves. Check back often.
IKC has a social media toolkit and flyers available in English in Spanish to share during your outreach efforts.
Measles (rubeola) is more than “just a rash,” it's a highly contagious viral illness that can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and death, especially in unvaccinated individuals.
With the rising outbreaks of measles across the United States, and the first measles-related death in a decade, it's crucial to stay alert and informed. Understanding measles, its symptoms, and how to stay protected is essential for keeping our communities safe.
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Click here for updated MMR vaccine recommendations
Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, children younger than 5 years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to suffer from measles complications.
If you suspect you or one of your family members has been exposed to measles, call your healthcare provider or local health department immediately - please do not go directly to your healthcare provider or health department. Measles is the most contagious disease known to exist, and it could easily be spread to others at a doctor's office or health department if proper precautions aren't taken prior to your arrival.
If an individual has known exposure to someone with measles and they are not immune through vaccination or prior infection, they are recommended to:
The best defense against measles is the MMR vaccine, with two doses being 97% effective
against measles (one dose is 93% effective). The vaccine is given in two doses: the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at 4 to 6 years of age.
KDHE is issuing the following recommendations for counties that are impacted by this outbreak of measles and adjacent counties: Kansas Health Alert Network (KS-HAN) Advisory
Are there MMR recommendations for travelers? Yes.
Mandated Reporters, including clinicians, are required by Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R. 28-1-2) to report by phone all suspected cases of measles to the 24/7 KDHE Epidemiology Hotline (877-427-7317, option 5) within four (4) hours of suspicion to facilitate rapid testing and investigation. Please do not wait for test results. Be prepared to provide detailed information on clinical presentation, immunity status, and recent exposure history. Laboratories are required by K.A.R. 28-1-18 to report laboratory results of measles to KDHE using an approved electronic method.
© 2015 -
Immunize Kansas Coalition is an independent 501(c)(3) non profit organization.
| © 2015 -Immunize Kansas Coalition is an independent 501(c)(3) non profit organization.
Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $79,278,482 with 100% funded by the CDC/HHS.
The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, the CDC/HHS, the U.S. Government, or the Office of the Kansas Governor. For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov. [revision 10/01/21].