x
Breaking News
More () »

VERIFY | What are the facts and myths about measles?

The CDC this is reporting more than 550 confirmed cases in 20 states being attributed in part, to people not vaccinating their children.

CLEVELAND — Our expert is Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital pediatrician, Dr. Lolita McDavid and the Centers for Disease Control.

If you've already been vaccinated do you need a booster?

“It depends. If you are older and you weren't in that group of people who got the vaccine at one year and again at four years then yes you do need a booster,” Dr. McDavid says.

The CDC says those who received two doses as children are protected for life.

If you've been vaccinated can you still get measles?

According to the CDC, one dose is 93% effective and two are about 97% effective.

However, about three out of a hundred people will still get measles if exposed and experts aren't sure why.

Also the first type of measles vaccine that was given between 1963 and 1967 did not provide enough immunity. If this is when you received yours, you should talk to your doctor about getting another dose.

Dr. McDavid believes everyone should be vaccinated.

“I've taken care of people who have had measles encephalitis, people who went deaf from measles and it's highly contagious,” she said.

Does the vaccine cause seizures?

Dr. McDavid says, “no, there are febrile seizures you can have if you have measles and you have a high fever you can have a febrile seizure.”

According to the CDC the vaccine can help prevent the chance of seizures.

RELATED: U.S. measles count up to 555, most reported cases since 2014

Before You Leave, Check This Out