I have read many articles lately calling Portland a “hotspot” for measles cases just waiting to break out! Its nice to see when journalists don’t fan the flames of panic as I am seeing in most Portland and Vancouver area News media. I appreciate a more common sense approach. Such as in addition to vaccination, people can help prevent the spread of measles by staying home if they’re sick, covering their cough or sneeze, washing hands frequently and disposing of tissues used for coughing and sneezing.”
I also appreciate the fact that folks don’t grab a pitchfork and blame unvaccinated children as vaccinated individuals are also contracting it.
I found a surprising fact out about measles vaccination rates in Oregon on the Oregon Health department’s website.
Surprisingly, the MMR vaccine coverage rates in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas County are 95%-98% in K-12 children!
Across the state, overall rates across Oregon are sufficient at 94%.
Guess what? You can have your blood tested to check for titres which negates the need for boosters in already immune individuals. I am getting mine checked this week. Those born before 1957 are considered immune.
It sounds scary but people may not realize the only 3 deaths from measles in almost 20 years in the US were secondary and found in their autopsy. They were immunocompromised, with a 75 yr old man contracting it in Israel.
The CDC states that similar to the common cold, measles includes a rash and resolves within 3-5 days, complications are 1 in a million. Times like this call for some Cod Liver Oil and calm

Link to vaccination rates https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/VACCINESIMMUNIZATION/GETTINGIMMUNIZED/Documents/CtyData/WashImmData.pdf