KANSAS CITY, Kan. – As measles cases begin to reemerge in parts of the United States, Dr. Stephen Lauer, pediatrician and associate chair of pediatrics at The University of Kansas Health System, is urging families to remain vigilant and strongly consider early vaccination, particularly for young children.
“While case numbers remain low for now, this is changing on a weekly basis,” said Dr. Lauer. “We’ve seen increasing interest from parents in getting their children protected earlier, and we’ve responded by offering dedicated vaccine clinics for those seeking the MMR vaccine, especially for babies 6 to 12 months old and toddlers who are due for their second dose.”
Dr. Lauer noted that measles symptoms often begin with fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and small white spots inside the cheeks known as Koplik spots. These symptoms are typically followed by a rash that spreads from the head down over the body. “Until recently, most medical trainees learned about measles only in textbooks. Now, unfortunately, it’s becoming clinically relevant again.”
Because of its long incubation period — typically 10–14 days — measles can spread within a population for one to two weeks before the first case is even recognized. That delay makes proactive vaccination all the more crucial.
His recommendation to families is clear: “Vaccination is the best, most effective way to protect your child. The MMR vaccine has been safely and successfully used for decades. If your child is attending daycare or school, or you’re hearing about outbreaks nearby, it’s perfectly reasonable to talk to your pediatrician about adjusting the vaccination schedule to protect them sooner rather than later.”
