Health Department Talks National Infant Immunization Week

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As a measles outbreak around the country continues, the Berrien County Health Department is using National Infant Immunization Week to urge everyone to make sure they are vaccinated, and also to be sure their kids get all the vaccines they need. Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News some adults are unsure if they got all the measles vaccine. She suggests contacting the health department.

“If adults are unsure of their vaccine history for the measles, it’s not a bad idea to get a booster and to get that vaccine again,” Conrad said. “It’s not going to hurt you. You can’t get too much of that vaccine.”

Conrad says the measles outbreak in Michigan has meant 43 cases so far this year, all in southeast Michigan. It’s because of people not getting the vaccine, and she tells us it’s important that as many people as possible receive it.

“For measles, specifically, to have herd immunity, which is that kind of that community immunity that we want, you have to have about 95% of the population vaccinated against the measles.”

Conrad notes children under one year cannot get the measles vaccines, and the same goes for some adults with certain medical conditions. She says when there’s compromised herd immunity, all of those people are at risk. You can check out IVaccinate.org to learn more about recommended vaccines.