MDHHS announces sunset of early MMR vaccination recommendation

State sees 210% jump in vaccination among infants 6 to 11 months in five-week period

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today its outbreak-related recommendation that infants ages 6 to 11 months receive an early dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has ended.

MDHHS issued the recommendation for areas of the state impacted by a measles outbreak, a critical step toward protecting Michigan's most vulnerable individuals and slowing further spread.

From Wednesday, April 8 to Saturday, May 16, there were 2,371 MMR doses administered to infants 6 through 11 months of age in the counties at risk for community transmission. This represents a 210% increase compared to the same time last year in Washtenaw, Monroe, Wayne, Oakland, Jackson, Livingston and Lenawee counties.

"The increase in early MMR vaccines helped protect Michigan babies during this measles outbreak," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. "Measles is incredibly transmissible and because people can transmit the virus before they experience symptoms, we made this recommendation to keep the most vulnerable members of our communities safe, after a recent outbreak of measles in southeast MI. We continue to urge Michigan residents to protect their families and their communities by staying up to date on all vaccines."

Early MMR vaccination was recommended in the seven counties to provide additional protection for infants under one year of age in the wake of a recent outbreak. As no further community transmission of measles was documented as a consequence of the outbreak, the early dose recommendation ended Saturday, May 16.

To help prevent outbreaks in vaccine preventable diseases and keep communities healthy, parents and caregivers are urged to make sure children are up to date on all routine immunizations. Families interested in having their infant receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine should talk with their health care provider.

For measles information and recommendations, visit Michigan.gov/measles.

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