Health Officer urges MMR vaccination as measles cases rise nationally 3-6-26

March 6, 2026

Health Officer urges MMR vaccination as measles cases rise nationally

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) is urging residents to make sure they are protected against measles with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine as outbreaks continue to be reported in other parts of the country. While no measles cases have been reported in Alabama so far this year, Mobile County Health Officer Dr. Kevin Michaels warns that “it is only a matter of time” before the virus reaches our state.

“The MMR vaccine works,” said Dr. Michaels. “More than 90 percent of recent measles cases in the United States have occurred in people who were unvaccinated or of unknown vaccine status. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases we know, but it is also one of the most preventable with a safe and effective vaccine. Getting vaccinated now is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and our community.”

To better prepare for the possibility of measles cases, the Alabama State Public Health Laboratory now offers in‑state measles testing, which will provide quicker turnaround times for results and help speed up public health response. In addition, the Mobile County Health Care Coalition will conduct an exercise this month to test how MCHD and partner health care facilities will respond to measles cases in Mobile County, including rapid identification, isolation, testing, contact tracing, and vaccination efforts.

Measles can cause high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash, and it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, hospitalization, and even death. Babies, young children, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of severe illness, but anyone without immunity can become sick.

No specific antiviral drug is available to treat measles. To help manage symptoms, parents can ensure the child gets plenty of fluids and rest, and give a non-aspirin fever medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. In some cases, measles can lead to other problems, such as ear infections, pneumonia, or encephalitis.

MCHD recommends that:

• Children receive two doses of MMR: the first at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6 years.

• Teenagers and adults who missed doses or are unsure of their vaccination status should talk with their health care provider about getting caught up.

• Travelers, college students, and others in group settings should make sure they are fully vaccinated before entering higher‑risk environments.

“Now is the time to get protected, not after measles is already here,” Dr. Michaels said. “If you or your child are not up to date on MMR, call your doctor, your child’s pediatrician, or your local pharmacy and schedule a vaccination as soon as possible.”

The MMR vaccine is widely available at most primary care clinics, pediatric practices, and pharmacies across Mobile County. Residents should check with their insurance provider, but in many cases, childhood vaccines are covered at no cost, and programs exist to help those who are uninsured or underinsured.

Parents should call a doctor immediately if they believe their child has measles or if their child has been around someone who has measles, especially if their child is an infant, is taking medication that suppresses the immune system, has tuberculosis, cancer, or a disease that affects the immune system, or has not received two doses of the measles vaccine.

For more information about measles and vaccination recommendations, you can contact your primary care provider or one of the Federal Qualified Health Centers in Mobile County. To reach Family Health — MCHD’s primary care division — visit https://mchd.org/family-health/or call 251-690-8889.