International travel vaccination updates

Measles

Although endemic measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000, it is still common in many countries in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. Most cases in the United States occur in unvaccinated individuals, with 78 cases reported in 2016. As of March 25, 2017, 28 cases have been reported. At least 10 countries – including Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Thailand – have reported outbreaks of measles since April 2017. As reminder, all children aged 6-11 months should receive one dose of MMR and those 12 months or older should receive two doses of MMR at least 28 days apart if international travel is planned. Adults born after 1956 also should have received two doses of MMR prior to international travel.

Dr. Word is a pediatric infectious disease specialist and director of the Houston Travel Medicine Clinic. She reported having no relevant financial disclosures.