Babies under 1 typically don’t get the measles vaccine. Can they get a dose early?
Read Original Source
More measles cases have been reported in the first three months of 2025 than in all of 2024. Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading. Most of the 420-plus cases have been centered around the West Texas outbreak, which has spilled over to neighboring New Mexico and Oklahoma. Other cases in people returning from travel abroad have been reported in a handful of states.
AI Summary
Main Idea: Doctors are giving some babies an early measles shot as cases rise, but the extra dose does not replace the normal vaccine schedule recommended by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Key Points:
- Measles cases in 2025 have already topped all of 2024, with many tied to a West Texas outbreak that spread to nearby states.
- The usual MMR schedule starts at 12 to 15 months, which leaves babies under 1 more open to infection.
- The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics say children as young as 6 months can get an early dose during outbreaks or before international travel.
- Doctors say the early dose is a bonus dose, not a full substitute, and parents may need to pay for it if insurance does not cover it.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
More early MMR shots can strain clinic supply and may leave families paying out of pocket if insurance does not cover off-schedule doses.
Positive Impact
Earlier vaccination can help protect infants and traveling children from measles during outbreaks, which may reduce spread in communities.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Major:American Academy of Pediatricsnonprofit / NGO
Candidate Entities7 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- American Academy of Pediatricsnonprofit / NGOMajorEvaluated
Major medical organization cited for its recommendation on early MMR doses during outbreaks and travel.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Dr. Ana MontanezpersonMajorAI selected
Named pediatrician quoted throughout the article about early MMR doses in Texas.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Dr. Shilpa PatelpersonMajorAI selected
Named pediatrician whose comments on early vaccination are a major part of the story.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Director Dr. Rochelle WalenskypersonContextCandidate
Former CDC director cited for proposing an extra dose for high-risk domestic travel.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group Northern Valley Pediatricseducational / research institutionContextCandidate
Named medical group associated with Dr. Shilpa Patel and her vaccination advice.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Texas Tech Physicianseducational / research institutionContextCandidate
Medical institution where Dr. Ana Montanez practices and which is tied to the outbreak response.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Journal of the American Medical Associationmedia outletMinorCandidate
Publication where experts proposed codifying an extra dose for high-risk domestic travel.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
Comments 0
Comments here are the same thread shown when this article appears in The Pulse.
No comments on this article yet.
Sign in to comment