Are you prepared? Vaccines protect what matters most 07.11.25

July 11, 2025

Are you prepared? Vaccines protect what matters most

MOBILE, Ala. — As of July 8, there were a total of 1,288 confirmed measles cases reported in 39 states. Many of these states are prime travel spots for families during the summer break.

If you have a fever, cough, congestion, or eye irritation — along with a rash of both flat and raised skin lesions which begin on the head and spread downward — you should immediately isolate and communicate with a medical provider via telephone. The medical community can provide immediate assistance and make accommodations to have the sick individual evaluated further in a clinic.

Being unvaccinated puts your children and others at risk from severe complications to include lung and brain infections and in some cases death. Most common complications are diarrhea and ear infections making the individual feel even worse after the fever, cough, and congestion.

“Vaccines protect what matters most,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is safe and your best defense against measles.”

Many individuals will encounter travelers from across the United States and even globally. Measles is present internationally as well as in the United States. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective in presenting measles, while one dose is 93 percent effective. Newborns and infants are not fully protected and, in many situations, not eligible to be vaccinated. Dr. Michaels emphasizes, “the importance to protect them.”

“Do not show up in the clinic or emergency room without any prior communication,” Dr. Michaels said. “There might be others who are not vaccinated and at increased risk for complications.”

Measles is a viral illness with no specific treatment other than staying well hydrated and comfort measures. You need to stay away from others that are not vaccinated until cleared by your medical provider. Individuals with measles are contagious four days before their rash onset through four days after their rash started to appear.

If you are in doubt of your vaccination status or need to be vaccinated, see your local health care clinic. If the clinic does not have the vaccine, then many local pharmacies carry vaccines.