Dear Parent,
Your family and our community’s children are PA’s priority. As of today, February 19, Broward County has reported four cases of measles at a county elementary school. These outbreaks reaffirm the importance of adhering to the AAP’s vaccine schedule. We want to ensure you are informed and take necessary precautions.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread easily, especially among those who are not vaccinated. While we do not have confirmation that any of the cases are patients of Pediatric Associates, we are reassured that our patients’ compliance with our practice’s vaccine policy, which does require taking the MMR vaccine per CDC guidelines, provides them the best protection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles. We believe it is essential to keep you informed about the situation in our community and will continue to do so as the situation evolves.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Vaccination Protection: Children who have received the recommended two doses of the measles vaccine are considered protected. The MMR vaccines are recommended at 1 year of age and the second between 4-6 years old.
- Vaccination: We recommend any child over 4 to complete their 2nd dose of MMR for protection. If your child is due for a measles vaccination or if you have any questions about his/her immunization status, please contact our office at 855-KIDZ-DOC promptly to schedule an appointment.
- Exposure Concerns: If you suspect that your child may have been exposed to measles, please call our office at 855-KIDZ-DOC for clinical guidance before scheduling an appointment online.
- Symptoms of Measles: Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause symptoms such as:
- Fever that gradually rises to 103-105⁰F
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Pink eye or red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Raised, blush-white spots inside the mouth
- Rash consisting of red spots raised in the middle that begins at the hairline and moves to the face and neck before descending downward and outward over the body
- Preventive Measures: Remind your child to practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of illness.
Please know that we are closely monitoring the situation, and our team is here to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Clinicians and Staff at Pediatric Associates