Measles at Disneyland (combined threads)

[ClaraOswald]

Disney is not the cause of the measles outbreak. If your family is vaccinated, you'll probably be fine. There's less than 2% chance of getting it with full immunizations, and less than 5% after the first vaccine at 1 year of age.

Where did you get this info? I was wondering about that since my 16 month old has just had the one MMR at 12 months. We are heading to the parks in about 2 weeks.

 

[vettegirl]

I guess we will avoid DL. We are coming to the area for husbands military class Will be flying into John Wayne. Hopefully the airport will be safe to pass through.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

The upside about there now being a formal recommendation is that anyone who has to cancel *should* be covered by trip insurance.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

I think the number is slightly higher than that, but I would call your doctor and ask if it's worthwhile getting the second booster a bit earlier than 18 months. The shots are timed to maximize the body's immune response (and therefor the effectiveness), but sometimes in the case of an outbreak it's better to forgo absolute maximum effectiveness in order to get more immediate protection.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I think the number is slightly higher than that, but I would call your doctor and ask if it's worthwhile getting the second booster a bit earlier than 18 months. The shots are timed to maximize the body's immune response (and therefor the effectiveness), but sometimes in the case of an outbreak it's better to forgo absolute maximum effectiveness in order to get more immediate protection.

If we did that, it would require changing our trip dates as it's too late for another shot to even take effect. And I don't really feel comfortable giving him a shot that he's not meant to have for another 2+ years.

I think I had read that the 2nd shot is really more of a back-up because some people don't become immune after the first. But the percentage of those people is pretty small. They basically do the 2nd one as back-up before kids go to school. So I really hope my son doesn't fall into that percentage.

Right now I'm thinking we'll keep our trip since there's been measles reported in our town anyway (and the person went shopping at our store, went to the Children's museum, and who knows where else.)

 

[Aladora]

If we did that, it would require changing our trip dates as it's too late for another shot to even take effect. And I don't really feel comfortable giving him a shot that he's not meant to have for another 2+ years.

I think I had read that the 2nd shot is really more of a back-up because some people don't become immune after the first. But the percentage of those people is pretty small. They basically do the 2nd one as back-up before kids go to school. So I really hope my son doesn't fall into that percentage.

Right now I'm thinking we'll keep our trip since there's been measles reported in our town anyway (and the person went shopping at our store, went to the Children's museum, and who knows where else.)

Can you get his immunity tested or is he too young for that?

 

[ClaraOswald]

Can you get his immunity tested or is he too young for that?

Not sure. I am waiting to hear back from my doctor to see what she thinks.

 

[starjazz]

We leave in a month. We have a 4 yo and a 6 yo. Called the doc about our whole family. DW and I are good to go. DDs had additional MMR delivered this morning.

I feel like that's sufficient for our upcoming trip. Time to put this behind us and move forward with the excitement and anticipation of our vacation!!!!

 

[FourOrchards]

Anyone that has been immunized but wants to make sure they are fully covered can get blood drawn and have a titer run. That will tell you if you are still protected.

I bet that the few that have been immunized but still contracted the Measles virus didn't have the full protection of the immunization still with them from their childhood shots.

I am not saying that you still absolutely couldn't come down with the measles, there is NOT a 100% guarantee.

 

[FourOrchards]

Anyone that has been immunized but wants to make sure they are fully covered can get blood drawn and have a titer run. That will tell you if you are still protected.

I bet that the few that have been immunized but still contracted the Measles virus didn't have the full protection of the immunization still with them from their childhood shots.

I am not saying that you still absolutely couldn't come down with the measles, there is NOT a 100% guarantee.

 

[squidlet]

NPR did a very informative story on this just this morning:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/22/379072061/disneyland-measles-outbreak-hits-59-cases-and-counting

 

[TinkerJR]

We leave in a month. We have a 4 yo and a 6 yo. Called the doc about our whole family. DW and I are good to go. DDs had additional MMR delivered this morning.

I feel like that's sufficient for our upcoming trip. Time to put this behind us and move forward with the excitement and anticipation of our vacation!!!!

We will be in the parks in 14 days. I talked to our family doctor and he said that we (Me, DH and our kids DS 10 and DD 5) have had our 2 MMR shots and are fully vaccinated and should have no worries. But he did tell us to make sure we wash our hands often, because he is worried about the flu.

 

[crazyventures]

I think one should approach a Disney vacation like they would any place where there are many people in one place (Disney, cruises, other theme parks, etc); there's always a risk of contracting something where there are large crowds. Sometimes you run the risk of contracting something other than your average cold or flu. Unfortunately, a group of misinformed people relying on debunked junk science have contributed to this problem and the resurgence of diseases that were once under control or eradicated. Until states and counties finally decide to take action this is going to be a potential problem.

Just be aware and make sure your family's vaccinations and immunization records are up to date ... don't cancel your trip and have fun at the Happiest Place on Earth

 

[MommyWithDreams]

We leave in 10 days. I wasn't too worried until my Mom said she couldn't confirm if I had both shots. I'm 39, celebrating my 40th in Disneyland on the 5th and now beginning to have some serious anxiety about this now that CM's are coming down with it. SO what cast members have they been around that are still working at the parks. My boyfriend thinks I'm a nutcase, I suffer from severe anxiety disorder anyway so needless to say he's not being much help. It would take two weeks to get my shot records and two weeks for another shot to build up my system. I have no idea what to do.

 

[Aladora]

We leave in 10 days. I wasn't too worried until my Mom said she couldn't confirm if I had both shots. I'm 39, celebrating my 40th in Disneyland on the 5th and now beginning to have some serious anxiety about this now that CM's are coming down with it. SO what cast members have they been around that are still working at the parks. My boyfriend thinks I'm a nutcase, I suffer from severe anxiety disorder anyway so needless to say he's not being much help. It would take two weeks to get my shot records and two weeks for another shot to build up my system. I have no idea what to do.

Maybe call your doctor and get the test done to see if you have an immunity? It's a quick blood test as far as I remember.

 

[8lovesmickey]

We leave in 10 days. I wasn't too worried until my Mom said she couldn't confirm if I had both shots. I'm 39, celebrating my 40th in Disneyland on the 5th and now beginning to have some serious anxiety about this now that CM's are coming down with it. SO what cast members have they been around that are still working at the parks. My boyfriend thinks I'm a nutcase, I suffer from severe anxiety disorder anyway so needless to say he's not being much help. It would take two weeks to get my shot records and two weeks for another shot to build up my system. I have no idea what to do.

Easy - call your doctor! He or she can test your immunity (and I'm pretty sure that doesn't take weeks) and if you're not immune he/she will give you the best advice on what to do.

I fall on the side of knowledge-is-power as well as the knowledge that the media loves to tell us what we should worry about. Way more people die from heart disease, smoking, bad eating habits, drunk driving, etc. but that doesn't make the news (unless it happens at Disneyland! Ha!). Best wishes and happy birthday - I hope you're immune and can relax

 

[Rebekkap]

We leave in 10 days. I wasn't too worried until my Mom said she couldn't confirm if I had both shots. I'm 39, celebrating my 40th in Disneyland on the 5th and now beginning to have some serious anxiety about this now that CM's are coming down with it. SO what cast members have they been around that are still working at the parks. My boyfriend thinks I'm a nutcase, I suffer from severe anxiety disorder anyway so needless to say he's not being much help. It would take two weeks to get my shot records and two weeks for another shot to build up my system. I have no idea what to do.

You almost certainly haven't had the second dose, because the second dose was only introduced in 1989. But you are most likely immune anyway, as the majority are after one dose. The second dose is to catch the minority who don't develop immunity after a first dose.

 

[mtn335]

Sadly, I think we are going to cancel our Dapper Day / birthday trip. :-( Our youngest will be 11 weeks during the trip, far too young to be vaccinated, and the risk is just too high.

I'm hopeful Alaska Airlines will be merciful and waive change fees for us to go in the fall (or next February), but I'm not counting on it. More likely, we're out 5 change fees (which is, sadly, most of the fares!).

If we were all vaccinated, I think we'd go and not worry too terribly about it. I hope everyone has a great DD and stays healthy. I'll be there in spirit anyway.

 

[Rebekkap]

Sadly, I think we are going to cancel our Dapper Day / birthday trip. :-( Our youngest will be 11 weeks during the trip, far too young to be vaccinated, and the risk is just too high.

I'm hopeful Alaska Airlines will be merciful and waive change fees for us to go in the fall (or next February), but I'm not counting on it. More likely, we're out 5 change fees (which is, sadly, most of the fares!).

If we were all vaccinated, I think we'd go and not worry too terribly about it. I hope everyone has a great DD and stays healthy. I'll be there in spirit anyway.

That's really sad, I'm sorry you have to cancel your vacation

If Alaska isn't helpful on the phone, try contacting them via Twitter and Facebook - some companies are a lot more responsive when they think the incident is public!

Do you have travel insurance? It may cover your airfares if the airline won't.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I have called my Dr, twice in the last two days and no call back. Obviously not too concerned....