The symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The disease can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis - a brain inflammation that causes neurological defects - and death.
All states require school-age children to be vaccinated against measles, which involves two doses, the first typically given between 12 and 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years. States offer exemptions for children with certain medical conditions that result in a weakened immune system. And most states allow exemptions for religious and philosophical reasons.
Halsey, the Hopkins vaccine expert, thinks parents are asking for more exemptions lately without understanding the dangers.
"One of the reasons that some parents have withheld measles vaccines is they believe that the risk is very low" of contracting measles, he said. "That is, unfortunately, a false belief."
Halsey also blamed news media reports questioning the safety of the vaccine and a possible connection to autism for fueling doubts. Both Halsey and the CDC say studies have shown no credible link between the vaccine and autism. "I think that publicity about concerns about the safety of vaccines has contributed to parents delaying or deferring the vaccine for their children," he said. "Unfortunately, parents are not considering the risks of the disease."
In addition, Halsey warned of the importance of both doses of the vaccine. One dose provides 95 percent protection. Of the 131 people who contracted measles this year, 11 had received some level of vaccination.
kelly.brewington@baltsun.com
