Dear Parents and Caregivers,
We hope this letter finds you and your family well. As you may be aware, there have been recent local outbreaks of measles, and we want to inform you of an important update regarding the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccination.
To ensure the safety of our young patients during this time, we are now offering early MMR vaccination for children 6 months of age or older. While the typical schedule for MMR vaccination is at 1 year and again at 4 years of age, we are recommending early vaccination due to the current risk of measles outbreaks in our community.
What You Need to Know About Early MMR Vaccination
- Timing and Dosage:
The MMR vaccine is normally given at 1 year of age and again at 4 years of age. However, the vaccine is approved for use in children as young as 6 months. If you decide to have your child vaccinated early, this will be an additional dose. After this early dose, your child will still need two more doses after their first birthday, at the usual 1-year and 4-year intervals. - Efficacy and Immunity:
Vaccinating under 1 year of age may result in slightly reduced long-term immunity against measles. That said, the early dose will provide protection with around 85% efficacy against measles. Given the current risk of measles in our area, we feel the benefit of early vaccination outweighs the minor risk of reduced long-term immunity. - Insurance Coverage:
Since this vaccination falls outside the standard recommendations, some insurance companies may not cover the cost of the early dose. If your insurance does not cover this early vaccination, you may be responsible for paying for the vaccine out of pocket. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to understand your coverage details. - Finishing Your Series Early:
You may choose to finish your child’s MMR series earlier than the normally recommended schedule. If your child’s first dose was given at 1 year or after, the second dose can be given any time after 28 days from the first dose.
We are committed to providing the best care and ensuring the health and safety of your child. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment for early vaccination, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
Thank you for trusting us with your child’s healthcare.
Sincerely,
All For Kids Pediatrics