Health Officials Stress Importance of MMR Vaccinations to Protect Infants and Vulnerable Groups
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is urging families to check their vaccination records and ensure they are protected against measles after a local school-aged child died from a rare, fatal brain condition linked to a measles infection contracted during infancy.
Health officials said the child, who was infected before they were eligible to receive the measles vaccine, initially recovered but later developed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) — a progressive, incurable brain disorder that can appear years after a measles infection. SSPE affects about 1 in 10,000 measles patients, but the risk increases sharply — to about 1 in 600 — for infants who contract measles before their first birthday.
“This case is a painful reminder of how dangerous measles can be, especially for our most vulnerable community members,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “Infants too young to be vaccinated rely on all of us to help protect them through community immunity. Vaccination is not just about protecting yourself—it’s about protecting your family, your neighbors, and especially children who are too young to be vaccinated.”
SSPE typically develops two to 10 years after a child appears to have fully recovered from measles. Symptoms include a gradual, worsening decline in neurological function, with death usually occurring one to three years after diagnosis. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for the condition.
Measles is a highly contagious virus spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or even breathes. The virus can linger on surfaces and in the air for hours, making it easy to spread even before symptoms appear.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the most effective defense against the disease:
- Two doses are 97% effective, while a single dose provides 93% protection.
- The first dose is recommended at 12 to 15 months, and a second at 4 to 6 years.
- Infants aged 6 to 11 months should receive one dose before international travel.
- Babies under 6 months are too young to be vaccinated and rely on community immunity for protection.
Officials stress that vaccinating not only protects the individual but also helps shield those who cannot be vaccinated, including infants, pregnant people, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Public Health officials are urging residents to take the following precautions:
- Verify immunization records: Ensure all family members are protected, especially anyone traveling to areas experiencing measles outbreaks.
- Contact a doctor after potential exposure: Those at higher risk, including pregnant individuals, infants, and people with compromised immune systems, should seek immediate guidance from a healthcare provider.
- Monitor for symptoms: Early signs of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, and a rash that usually appears three to five days after other symptoms.
- Stay home if symptoms develop and call a healthcare provider before visiting a clinic or hospital to prevent spreading the virus.
As of Sept. 9, the United States has reported 1,454 measles cases this year, largely connected to an outbreak affecting Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
- 12% of patients required hospitalization for complications or isolation.
- Three deaths have been reported from acute measles-related complications.
- Los Angeles County has reported eight total infections this year, including four residents and four non-residents who were infectious while in the county. The most recent case involving a local resident occurred in August 2025.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of MMR and MMRV vaccines.
- Uninsured or underinsured individuals can receive free or low-cost vaccines through clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and California Vaccines for Adults (CA-VFA) programs.
- For a list of clinics offering these services, call the Public Health InfoLine at 833-540-0473 or visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaccineclinics.
For more information on measles prevention and resources, visit ph.lacounty.gov/measles
