Kyle measles case emphasizes who may need an MMR vaccine

Hays County, Texas – The confirmation of a measles case in Kyle makes concerns about the spread of the contagious virus, as is the case in West Texas. The Ministry of State Health Services says that so far 772 people have become sick in West Texas, 92 hospital and two children of school age.

Hays County's authorities say that the person concerned is considered not vaccinated because they do not have the correct documentation.

People who vaccinated against the measles before the digital age may not have the documentation to prove this. This is the case in Hays County. “I was just asked to write an article for the annals of internal medicine about this situation, and it really depends on it,” said Dr. Peter Hodez, professor of pediatrics and molecular virology at the Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for vaccine development.

There is currently no word if this case is connected to the epidemic in Gaines County, Texas. “We can actually do this by genotrying the virus,” said Dr. Hodez.

Related | Kyle Resident tests positively for measles

The MMR vaccine was given in a dose until 1989-and then the recommendation became two doses. Despite a dose, Dr. Hodez that the MMR is more than 90 percent effective, but you can get a second dose. “If you live in an area in which there is a lot of measles transmission, you want to have a discussion with your internist,” he said.

CBS Austin spoke to a woman in Kyle who thought he had been in Sephora the same day. “I have a little six months old and I just talked to the doctor about getting more measles, like the measles that were shot for them, so I thought, wait, I, yes, I have overlooked? But luckily I wasn't there,” said Meighan Coy.

Dr. Hodez says, however, that not vaccinated babies are a problem. “If you have a newborn or a child who is not yet old enough to get your first measles dose at the age of 12 months.

Doctor Mardez says that there are symptoms that could indicate measles before the rash occurs is a cough, cold-like symptoms and conjunctivitis or a pink eye. So if you have all three symptoms, but no rash yet, it is worth calling your doctor.