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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 21 PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE Medical milestones like eradicating measles in the U.S. are made possible by high community vaccine rates—so everybody plays a role in keeping the community healthy. Balmes-John said Virginia measles vaccination rates among kindergar- teners are close to the 95% recommended to provide herd immunity. That level of community immunity helps ensure that infants who aren't yet old enough to receive the vaccine aren't at risk of this serious illness. The Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns caused some families to miss vaccine sched- ules—so if you aren't sure what vaccines your family members have received, now is a good time to check with your healthcare provider. VACCINE IS SAFE, TIME-TESTED The MMR vaccine has been administered in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and has been repeatedly proven to be safe and effective. Balmes-John said that the farther away Americans get from the time period when nearly all children contracted measles, the easier it is to forget what a ter- rible disease it is. "About one in five people in the U.S. who are not vaccinated who get measles are going to be hospitalized, and that's a pretty big number," she said, adding that an estimated one in 20 children who get measles will come down with pneumo- nia—the most common cause of death from measles. "Having a full understanding of the risks is an important consideration when people are making healthcare decisions," she said. "Your healthcare provider can walk through all of the risks on a more individual level." For more information, visit vdh.virginia.gov/measles/. THE MMR VACCINE OFFERS CRITICAL PROTECTION • It's never too late to get protection. Parents of unvaccinated children should consult their pediatrician or the Rappahannock Area Health District about scheduling the vaccine doses. • Two doses of MMR are required for entry to public kindergarten in Virginia, so parents should check with healthcare providers to ensure they are up-to-date as kindergarten registration is already underway in our area. • Unvaccinated women who are considering trying to conceive should get the vaccine before they become pregnant. Pregnant women cannot receive the MMR vaccine, and it is recommended that women not become pregnant for at least 4 weeks after being vaccinated. • Individuals born before 1957 do not need to be vaccinated, as measles was so widespread during their childhoods that they are believed to have received immunity already. • Individuals vaccinated between 1963 and 1967 may want to talk to their healthcare provider about getting an updated vaccine, as the vaccine was improved after 1967. • The MMR vaccine offers lifetime protection from measles. No booster is needed. • Vitamin A is not a substitute for vaccination. While vitamin A may be used to treat children with severe measles, such as those hospitalized, it should be administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Overuse of vitamin A can lead to toxicity and cause damage to the liver, bones, central nervous system, and skin. Pregnant women should avoid taking high levels of vitamin A as it has been linked to severe birth defects.