Public Health Urges Measles Vaccine Amidst South Carolina Outbreak

Mecklenburg County Public Health is encouraging parents to ensure their children are up to date on their immunizations, especially the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, amidst an ongoing measles outbreak in Spartanburg County, S.C. So far, there have been eight confirmed cases associated with this outbreak and more than 150 unvaccinated children are in quarantine.  

“As our neighbors are dealing with a growing measles outbreak, it’s important for everyone in our community to take steps to protect health and prevent an outbreak here,” said Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County Public Health director. “Parents need to make sure their kids are up to date on their vaccines, and healthcare providers, schools and daycares need to know the signs and symptoms of measles to isolate potential cases early and prevent further spread. Measles is a highly contagious and serious illness and our best tool to protect against it is vaccination.”

Last year, there was a confirmed case of measles in Mecklenburg County that was the first case of measles in North Carolina since 2018. One case of measles has been identified in North Carolina this year. Nationally, there have been more than 1,500 cases of measles and 44 outbreaks this year—more than recent prior years.

Measles is a viral illness that can have serious health complications and can easily spread. The symptoms of measles include a fever, runny nose, cough, rash and red eyes. Around 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. And about one in five people in the United States who get measles will be hospitalized.

Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine—the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose four through six years of age. One dose of the vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles and two doses is 97% effective.

In the event of a measles exposure, if a child is unvaccinated or hasn’t previously had measles, they may be excluded from school for 21 days or longer to prevent further spread and ensure safety.    

If you see symptoms of measles, call your doctor, clinic or emergency department right away. It’s important to call a healthcare facility before you go to get instructions to prevent further spread of measles.

The MMR vaccine is widely available at healthcare providers and retail pharmacies across Mecklenburg County, and it is offered for free or low-cost at the Mecklenburg County Public Health Immunization Clinic.