Vaccine has proven to keep outbreaks at bay
from Health Department of Northwest Michigan

Measles is on the rise, and it’s making the news. But unlike some diseases, measles is preventable.

The increase in cases being discovered in the United States is attributed to 1) an increase in the number of travelers who get measles abroad and bring it into the U.S., and 2) further spread of measles in U.S. communities in pockets of unvaccinated people.

As of January 25, there have been nine measles cases reported in four states this year: Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. In 2023, there were 58 total cases reported in 19 states and Washington, D.C.

“Measles only becomes a problem in communities which are not highly vaccinated against the disease,” says Dr. Joshua Meyerson, Health Department of Northwest Michigan Medical Director. “We are reminding residents to take advantage of this safe and effective vaccine. Getting two doses provides 97% protection against measles for life.”

The measles vaccine, often called MMR because it also protects against rubella and mumps, provides significant protection again all strains of measles and greatly reduces the risk of complications. Since widespread use of the vaccine in the U.S., the number of people with measles has decreased by more than 99%. The MMR Vaccine is routinely recommended for all children starting after age one with a second dose given when they’re 4-6 years old.

Facts About Measles

Measles:

• Causes a red, blotchy rash, fever, dry cough, inflamed eyes, and more.
• Is primarily a childhood disease caused by a virus but can infect adults too.
• Spreads easily when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Can almost always be prevented with a vaccine.
• Can be serious and even fatal for small children.
• Kills more than 200,000 a year, mostly children.

Vaccine hesitancy is responsible for measles outbreaks in countries where measles had previously been eliminated and is one of the 10 threats to global public health identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to the National Library of Medicine.

“Vaccine hesitancy increased during COVID-19, but regardless of how people feel about the COVID-19 vaccine, we cannot afford to discount the benefits of long-proven vaccines like MMR,” says Dr. Meyerson. “Let’s keep ourselves and our neighbors safe from preventable disease.”

Visit Us Online

To learn more about childhood immunizations and how to cover them if you are uninsured or underinsured, click here. For facts on the measles vaccine, click here.

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) celebrates the critical role vaccination plays in protecting the health of our children and families — and this year we’re reminding parents of the importance of staying up to date with routinely recommended vaccines following disruptions from COVID-19.

As a parent, you want to protect your little one from harm. Vaccinating your child according to the recommended immunization schedule gives him or her the best protection against 14 serious childhood illnesses — like measles and whooping cough — before the age of 2.

EJFHC encourages you to make sure your child is up to date on vaccines by ensuring that they haven’t missed any check-ups. Well-child visits are essential.

You can also review the 2021 easy-to-read immunization schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  If you’re pregnant, now is a great time to find a doctor for your baby and schedule a visit to discuss any questions you have about vaccines.

For more information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent, visit these resources:

• The Ultimate Babyproofing Plan: 6 Reasons to Follow CDC’s Immunization Schedule
• CDC’s vaccine website for parents and Infant Immunization FAQs
• CDC’s series of three 1-minute videos
• The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides free vaccines to children who qualify
• The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Healthy Children
• Vaccinate Your Family
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center

If you have questions about vaccines, talk to your child’s doctor.

September 2, 2021  – Health Department of Northwest Michigan COVID-19 Update 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has created a new Michigan Immunization Portal for residents to review and save their own immunization records. 

As of August 19, anyone 18 years or older who has immunization records in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) is able to locate their immunization record in MCIR if a record exists and matches their government issued ID (ex: MI Secretary of State Driver’s License or ID card, or USA Passport). The immunization record from MCIR will appear as a .pdf document which can be downloaded, saved, or printed. 

To maintain privacy, a citizen MILogin account must be created and used. New users must sign into their MILogin account and upload a valid government issued ID to the Immunization Portal. The portal is only available for those 18 years or older, and parents are not able to download their children’s immunization records. If an immunization record cannot be found, or if you would like to request your child’s immunization record, the records can be requested from a physician’s office or by calling the health department at 800-432-4121.  

 “The new immunization portal gives adults in Michigan access to their whole immunization record, as entered into the MCIR,” said officials with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. “Residents will be able to see their COVID-19 and other vaccine records, as well as see what immunizations they might be missing. This portal provides easy access to individual’s records, with this access we hope it empowers individuals on their own health and records.”   

The portal can be found online at www.michigan.gov/immunize or at Michigan.gov/MiImmsPortal, and it is available on computers or smart devices.  

If a resident would like their Michigan immunization records updated, they can contact their physician’s office or the health department at 800-432-4121.   

The health department offers convenient COVID-19 vaccination clinics for all area residents and visitors 12 and older either by appointment ahead of time or simply walking in. Parent consent is required for minors. Anyone may call 800-432-4121 if they have questions or are not able to find a time or date that works for them and/or their child. Clinics offer client choice of Pfizer, Moderna or J&J unless otherwise noted. Upcoming clinics for walk-ins or appointments include: 

Friday, September 3 

• 8:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 95 Livingston Blvd., Gaylord. To schedule an appointment:Click Here 

Wednesday, September 8 

• 1:00-4:30 p.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 3434 M-119, Harbor Springs. To schedule an appointment: Click Here 
• 1:00-4:30 p.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 205 Grove St., Mancelona. To schedule an appointment: Click Here 

Thursday, September 9 

• 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – North Central Michigan College, 1515 Howard St., Petoskey. Call 800-432-4121 to schedule an appointment. 

Friday, September 10 

• 8:15-11:30 a.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 220 W Garfield Ave., Charlevoix. To schedule an appointment: Click Here 
• 8:15-11:35 a.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 95 Livingston Blvd., Gaylord. To schedule an appointment: Click Here