Critical Measles Update 4/5/19

As of Friday evening, the Oakland County Health Department has identified 38 cases of measles. The number of infected people and the case mix has begun to change. The illness is no longer confined to primarily to adults in the Orthodox Jewish community in Oak Park but has expanded to children in daycares and schools in neighboring communities. Because of this shift in the types of people infected (more children) and geography, our recommendation regarding early, accelerated vaccination has changed.

Change in Recommendation

As of today, Birmingham Pediatrics + Wellness Center recommends that all children living in south Oakland County should accelerate their MMR vaccine. Infants 6-12 months who have not been exposed can receive an MMR early. These infants will still need 2 additional doses of MMR starting at age 1. Children over the age of 1 who have not yet received their second MMR (typically given at age 4) should receive their second dose early. As long as 4 weeks separates the two doses and the first is given at 12 months of age or older, no further doses will be needed.

What if my child’s been exposed?

See the list of potential exposure locations and times here.

Infants under 1 year of age or children who have never received MMR and have been potentially exposed should receive measles immune globulin (IG) within 6 days of exposure. If your child has had 1 MMR vaccine, a second MMR within 72 hours of exposure is indicated. If your child has had 2 doses of MMR and has been potentially exposed no further action is needed.

How effective is MMR?

The first dose of MMR in infants 12 months and older confers 93% immunity. The second dose raises that percentage to 97%. This means that 7% of infants who receive MMR the first time do not become immune and after the second shot the non responders decrease to 3%. No vaccine has a 100% response rate. This is part of the reason why having everyone who can get vaccinated do so is important. Having the whole community vaccinated provides greater protection since a certain percent of people will not respond fully to the vaccine and remain susceptible to the diseases.

For infants 6-12 months we don’t have enough data to say how well the vaccine works to confer immunity. We do know that it would be better than no vaccine at all but the rate of immunity in a population of infants has not been measured.

Where can I get the vaccine?

We are scheduling Vaccine Only Appointments for our families wishing to receive the MMR vaccine. Times will vary throughout the day so please call our office to schedule 248.816.2558.

Families who have already scheduled well visits for children 1 year to 4 years old will be able to receive the vaccine at their scheduled appointment.

Health Department Vaccine Clinics

The Health Department will host a special measles vaccination clinic open to the public on Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Rd., Southfield. The special clinic will have IG treatment for infants under 12 months old who may have been exposed to measles. No other vaccines besides MMR will be available at the clinic. Oakland County Health Division’s Nurse on Call phone line will be open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, to answer questions. Please call 800-848-5533 or email noc@oakgov.com.

Oakland County Health Division offices in Southfield and Pontiac are open Monday, 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Health Division offices are not testing centers but vaccine can be given there.

Here are the addresses of the two locations:

North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac
South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield

Stay Tuned

Birmingham Pediatrics + Wellness Center will keep you up to date minute by minute on our Facebook page (where we posted this information first-within an hour of receiving it). We have your children in our hands and are partnering with you for the best possible care.