In a follow-up on the Hennepin County, MN measles outbreak, the number of cases has risen to 20 among Somali Minnesotan children, according to health officials today.
Sixteen of the cases are confirmed to be unvaccinated. (Vaccination status of the remaining cases is not yet verified.)
This has prompted the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to ask parents and health care providers to watch for potential cases and help make sure as many Minnesota children as possible are protected through vaccination.
The MDH stresses the importance of its vaccine recommendations, which protect children and adults during outbreaks:
- All Minnesota children 12 months and older who have not received a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine should get it now.
- Adults who have never received the MMR vaccine and have never had measles should get the vaccine now.
MDH also recommends that all Somali Minnesotan children statewide who have already received their first dose of MMR vaccine get their second dose now.
This special vaccine schedule is commonly recommended during outbreaks instead of waiting until 4 to 6 years old for the second dose. Parents of Somali Minnesotan children should contact their child’s health care provider and specifically tell them the child needs the MMR vaccine. This may help avoid a longer wait associated with scheduling a routine appointment.
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