Check Your Family’s Measles Vaccine Status Before Travel

Dear APS Parent or Guardian:

You have probably heard about measles cases and outbreaks in schools in our nation.

To protect you and your family, Arlington County Public Health Division wants you to check your family’s measles vaccine status before travelling during Arlington Public Schools’ spring vacation period.

For travel in the US – i.e., domestic travel:

• Young children should get two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR).
  • Dose 1 should be given between 12 to 15 months of age.
  • Dose 2 should be given between 4 to 6 years of age.
• Teenagers and adults without evidence of immunity[*] – should get one dose of MMR vaccine.

For travel outside of the US – i.e., international travel:

• For children 6 months of age and older:
  • Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine.
  • Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more doses (one dose at 12 through 15 months of age and another dose separated by at least 28 days).
  • Children 12 months of age and older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
• Teenagers and adults without evidence of immunity* – should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.

Please work with your child’s health care provider or with the Arlington County Public Health Division (https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Health/Public-Health/Health-Clinics-and-Services/Immunization-Clinic) to schedule an MMR vaccination or check vaccination status. Thank you for helping us protect your children and you, your school community and Arlington. Sincerely,

Reuben K. Varghese, MD, MPH                                                 Sarah N. Bell, RN, MPH
Health Director & Public Health Division Director               School Health Bureau Director  For more information:

• CDC Measles Vaccination Information: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html
• CDC Measles Vaccination for Traveling: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/plan-for-travel.html
• Arlington County Information on Measles: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Health/Measles
• CDC Top 4 Things Parents Need to Know About Measles Factsheet (English / En Español)

*Evidence of immunity includes a record of measles vaccination history or evidence of a past infection with measles. Work with your health care provider to determine evidence of immunity against measles.