Madison Reporter

As spring break nears, Public Health Madison & Dane County officials are advising travelers to verify their vaccination records for measles protection. This caution comes amid a significant measles outbreak reported by the CDC in Texas and New Mexico, with over 200 cases as of March 6. Additional cases have emerged in ten other states and New York City this year. Notably, 94% of these cases involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

Measles is an extremely contagious virus that spreads quickly through coughing and sneezing. An unvaccinated person can contract the virus merely by being in the same room or passing through an airport with someone infected.

"Unvaccinated travelers are at a higher risk of catching measles and bringing it back to their communities," stated Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. "Before you head off on your vacation, please take a moment to check your vaccination records. If you're not protected, getting vaccinated now can help keep you healthy and stop the spread."

The MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine is effective against serious illness, offering long-lasting protection against all strains of measles. The two-dose series is 97% effective at preventing measles.

In Dane County during the 2023-2024 school year, 95.6% of K-12 students completed the MMR vaccine series. Additionally, in 2024, 86.5% of children aged 24 months received at least one dose of MMR. To prevent community transmission, a target vaccination rate of 95% is recommended.

To facilitate checking vaccination status, an online tool known as the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) is available; however, vaccinations received outside Wisconsin may not appear in WIR records. Adult childhood vaccinations might also be undocumented in WIR.

It takes about two weeks for the measles vaccine to provide protection after administration. Vaccination appointments can be made as follows:

- Insured individuals should contact their primary care provider or local pharmacy.

- Uninsured individuals or those on BadgerCare should make an appointment with Public Health online or call 608-266-4821.

Travelers without measles vaccination should monitor their health upon returning home for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash that typically spreads from head to body. Anyone exhibiting symptoms should stay home and contact their doctor’s office before visiting to prevent spreading the virus within clinics.

For additional spring break travel tips, refer to related blog posts.