Alabama’s First Measles Case in More Than 20 Years: What Families Need to Know
— Dr. Allury Lal, State Director, Alabama, UC4C: now part of the Zarminali Pediatrics family
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recently reported a confirmed case of measles for the first time since 2002, in a child under the age of five. ADPH confirmed that the child, who was unvaccinated, contracted the virus while traveling internationally. This news is an important reminder for families across our state: vaccine-preventable illnesses can return if we let our guard down.
At Urgent Care for Children (UC4C), our goal is to keep families informed about important health concerns, such as measles. This blog is intended to raise awareness about the disease and empower families to take the appropriate actions to protect not only their children, but also their neighbors, classmates, and community as a whole.
Why Families Should Be Aware
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. Unvaccinated individuals have up to a 90% chance of becoming infected if exposed, and the virus can be spread several days before symptoms appear. This is why outbreaks can happen quickly and why prevention matters so much.
The best defense against measles is vaccination. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is widely available and highly effective, offering about 99% protection after the two recommended doses. While Urgent Care for Children does not provide vaccines and cannot administer them during visits, we believe it is important to keep families informed on this critical topic. For vaccination needs, please contact your local health department or your child’s primary care pediatrician.
Parents and families can take action now. First, check your child’s vaccination record. If they are due for their MMR vaccine, schedule it with your pediatrician or local health department as soon as possible. It is also helpful to know where to go when you have concerns. ADPH advises that parents should call a doctor if they believe their child has measles, or may have been exposed to someone infected with the measles virus — especially if their child is less than 12 months of age, or immunocompromised.
A Final Word From Urgent Care for Children
The news of Alabama’s first measles case in more than 20 years is a powerful reminder that community health depends on all of us. At Urgent Care for Children, now proudly part of the Zarminali Pediatrics family, we remain committed to partnering with parents, pediatricians, and public health leaders to keep children safe, healthy and thriving.
Our team is here for you. Together, we can protect our children and prevent the return of vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles. Please visit the ADPH Measles web page for the latest public health updates, including information on how to report an infection and tools to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated.
