Measles at Disneyland (combined threads)

[ClaraOswald]

We were at Disneyland Jan 4-7 with my 9 month old. We all have a cold now, but it's been 4 days and no rash. Everyone has been vaccinated except the baby. We bought APs and are heading back for Spring Dapper Day. Asking our pediatrician about the safety of taking my LO to Disney never even crossed my mind. I don't think it's extra dangerous. The only problem would be if a lot of CMs catch it; otherwise, it's all about whomever happens to be visiting the park that day.

Some CMs have caught it. Health officials in California are telling people who are NOT vaccinated to NOT come to the park.

Personally, I would not bring a child (not vaccinated) to the park right now (or really any crowded place in CA or where there's a current outbreak.) Not worth the risk.

My son HAS had his first vaccine but we still talked to our doctor. Better safe than sorry.

 

[StellaD]

We were at Disneyland Jan 4-7 with my 9 month old. We all have a cold now, but it's been 4 days and no rash. Everyone has been vaccinated except the baby. We bought APs and are heading back for Spring Dapper Day. Asking our pediatrician about the safety of taking my LO to Disney never even crossed my mind. I don't think it's extra dangerous. The only problem would be if a lot of CMs catch it; otherwise, it's all about whomever happens to be visiting the park that day.

I'm guessing if you did call and talk to your pediatrician about your trip they may advise not to go in light of the recommendations from the California department of health. My kids are both vaccinated, but I wasn't sure about the status for H and I. Our family doctor here in MN knew all about the situation and said we should get a measles booster before traveling to Disney and Southern California. I am not an alarmist generally, but I don't think I'd be at all comfortable bringing a baby that has not been immunized to Disney right now.

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

I'm guessing if you did call and talk to your pediatrician about your trip they may advise not to go in light of the recommendations from the California department of health. My kids are both vaccinated, but I wasn't sure about the status for H and I. Our family doctor here in MN knew all about the situation and said we should get a measles booster before traveling to Disney and Southern California. I am not an alarmist generally, but I don't think I'd be at all comfortable bringing a baby that has not been immunized to Disney right now.

So I suggested earlier that I wasn't overly worried about the measles outbreak (it's possible i said I'd literally rub my face on every surface of the park when I'm there tomorrow...don't worry...I wont really)....but I'm vaccinated. My thinking on this would probably shift significantly if I weren't. I tend to agree with you Stella.

If you look at it from a pure money standpoint, which is wise I think, both DLR and much of southern california is likely to lose a fair amount of money in stating publicly that those without immunizations should NOT come to the parks. That decision would not have been made lightly.

Everyone should make their own health decisions, of course, but I'd take the statement pretty seriously.

 

[TheLanes]

So I suggested earlier that I wasn't overly worried about the measles outbreak (it's possible i said I'd literally rub my face on every surface of the park when I'm there tomorrow...don't worry...I wont really)....but I'm vaccinated. My thinking on this would probably shift significantly if I weren't. I tend to agree with you Stella. If you look at it from a pure money standpoint, which is wise I think, both DLR and much of southern california is likely to lose a fair amount of money in stating publicly that those without immunizations should NOT come to the parks. That decision would not have been made lightly. Everyone should make their own health decisions, of course, but I'd take the statement pretty seriously.

It must have been a tough decision, especially for some school districts that told kids without immunization to stay home. I fully support it however. During this temporary period of breakouts and spreading, non-immunized should stay home. I do feel bad for those that can't get immunized because of age or allergies. For those that chose not to, hmmmpphh.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

As far as whether you're vaccinated or not, I can only speak for Canada in terms of our schedule, but -

The single dose of MMR confers lifelong immunity for most people, not all (much like contracting the measles virus will give lifelong immunity to most people but not all.) So at least in Canada, they switched to a system of doing two doses in the mid to late nineties to catch the people who didn't get it after one dose. I'm one of those people. When I did my preconception work up before my second was born, they gave me an MMR booster because my immunity had waned. So if you're kind of in the 30-40 age range, it's possible that you have no immunity if you didn't get the second dose.

With children, while here the first dose is usually given at 12 months, if you're travelling to an area where measles is present, your doctor will give infants between 6-11 months the vaccine (in Canada.)

Obviously check with your doctor about what the schedule is in your area, but that's generally how it works. Pregnant women who aren't sure of their immune status should probably also avoid the park since the MMR vaccine cannot be given to pregnant women.

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

As far as whether you're vaccinated or not, I can only speak for Canada in terms of our schedule, but -

The single dose of MMR confers lifelong immunity for most people, not all (much like contracting the measles virus will give lifelong immunity to most people but not all.) So at least in Canada, they switched to a system of doing two doses in the mid to late nineties to catch the people who didn't get it after one dose. I'm one of those people. When I did my preconception work up before my second was born, they gave me an MMR booster because my immunity had waned. So if you're kind of in the 30-40 age range, it's possible that you have no immunity if you didn't get the second dose.

With children, while here the first dose is usually given at 12 months, if you're travelling to an area where measles is present, your doctor will give infants between 6-11 months the vaccine (in Canada.)

Obviously check with your doctor about what the schedule is in your area, but that's generally how it works. Pregnant women who aren't sure of their immune status should probably also avoid the park since the MMR vaccine cannot be given to pregnant women.

Same deal here I believe. My understanding (could be wrong) is that the US switched to the two dose schedule in the early 90's. For folks like me who predated that change, you may have received a second dose before going to college, as I did. I don't recall now if that was something that was required, or something that was just recommended by the University/my Dr? Either way, I'm glad I got that second dose.

 

[Rebekkap]

I was vaccinated against measles pre-MMR, so presumably with a single-antigen vaccine. I'm going to go to the doctor and have my immunity tested, and get the MMR if I need to before I got to Disneyland in March. It's been a good reminder of the need to make sure vaccinations are current.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'm a local. The current recommendations are that if you were born before the mid-70s, you should contact your doctor about whether or not you need a booster. Children can get an mmr shot at 12 mos. and again at 5 years old. Most people born in the 80s or later have been vaccinated with a live virus, and likely have permanent immunity.

Since we're in California, in the heart of the outbreak, of course it's scary. But, my kids are vaccinated and I won't put their lives on hold because of the virus going around. Thankfully the vaccines give them a very low chance of getting it. I hope they don't contract anything, but I refuse to keep them inside away from everything just because some people brought us a new measles outbreak.

 

[DahliaRW]

Same deal here I believe. My understanding (could be wrong) is that the US switched to the two dose schedule in the early 90's. For folks like me who predated that change, you may have received a second dose before going to college, as I did. I don't recall now if that was something that was required, or something that was just recommended by the University/my Dr? Either way, I'm glad I got that second dose.

Yes, the 2 dose schedule was implemented in the early 90s. Most schools put it on the required list at that time, and it was required for pretty much any student before entering the next grade. Most people in their mid 30s probably had 2 doses already.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

Same deal here I believe. My understanding (could be wrong) is that the US switched to the two dose schedule in the early 90's. For folks like me who predated that change, you may have received a second dose before going to college, as I did. I don't recall now if that was something that was required, or something that was just recommended by the University/my Dr? Either way, I'm glad I got that second dose.

Yeah, I think most people would be fine, but it's just one of those things where if you have a trip coming up in the next few months, you might need to check. I think some people just assume they're fine or don't really remember what shots they got in school (like myself.)

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

We have a trip booked in March. DH and I have had boosters in the last few years. ODS and DD are fully vaccinated. I was slightly concerned about YDS, as he has only had his first dose of the MMR vaccine.

I called the doctor and he told us that YDS should be just fine and to have a great trip.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Same deal here I believe. My understanding (could be wrong) is that the US switched to the two dose schedule in the early 90's. For folks like me who predated that change, you may have received a second dose before going to college, as I did. I don't recall now if that was something that was required, or something that was just recommended by the University/my Dr? Either way, I'm glad I got that second dose.

Sounds right. The small community college I went to required the 2nd MMR for admission. I had already been a student for a couple quarters when the new requirement was implemented. I would say 1992? I remember doing my registration kinda late & getting the news. Time crunch. I was quite annoyed at having to go sit at the local health department because our family doctor didn't keep it in stock. My older brother & hubby were both students at the same college so I know they would've had to go get it, too. I'm pretty sure right now I could walk in the office and put my hands on my 2nd dose MMR certificate within 2 minutes.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

We have a trip booked in March. DH and I have had boosters in the last few years. ODS and DD are fully vaccinated. I was slightly concerned about YDS, as he has only had his first dose of the MMR vaccine.

I called the doctor and he told us that YDS should be just fine and to have a great trip.

We're going in 10 days and my doctor said the exact same thing about my 2.5 year old daughter.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I got a booster on Friday and we arrive in 7 days. I know I've had one shot, but not the second. Everyone else I'm with had proof of two vaccines.

 

[Maddle]

I was born in 1958 and the measles shot was not standard...I can tell you is that in 1965 I had the measles and I was so very very sick that I still remember it. Measles is not something to mess around with.

If you are not certain of your immunity, or your child's immunity, stay away. If you have an unvaccinated infant, stay away.

As a PP said, Disneyland will still be here. Southern California will still be here.

 

[heybets30]

Just got an MMR booster today! I only had one shot in 2005, was unvaccinated until I was 35. Doc said as I was going into the hot zone, better safe than sorry!

IL just announced the first measles case Of 2015 (IN MY TOWN!!) - tho is believed to be completely unrelated to DL. Yikes!!!

 

[vwfanforever]

Hi, as stated in media that there is/was an outbreak of measles at the disneyland park. Has anyone seen any recent information if current visitors are still getting the virus. I have a holiday booked to go there from over 9 months ago booked. We have 2 kids travelling with us which one is not vaccinated. He will be in care of either myself or wife if we do go. He is only 4 months old so can't be vaccinated. Also has anyone heard if the virus is in Universal studios? Or just at disneyland. Thanks

 

[StyledSugar]

They were recommending anyone that isn't vaccinated to stay away from the park or any other largely populated areas. Not sure if any additional cases have been released (there is a thread on here with information) but I personally wouldn't take any chances. Better safe than sorry.

 

[helenm29]

Yes, I agree with StyledSugar....if you or whom ever is going with you aren't vaccinated stay away! they are saying that if you didn't receive your first set of shots AND your booster you are suseptable to the measles. We just heard that it's spread to 5 other states! I WISH people would get vaccinated but what can we do? I thought people HAD to be vaccinated before entering school?

 

[AZMermaid]

It is all over Southern California is my understanding. Disneyland is advising travelers not to bring young babies to the park (as recent as a few days ago). With that said, I don't believe Disneyland is significantly more risky than another large public place such as the mall, Universal Studios, Knotts, a movie theater, Costco etc. There is a slightly elevated risk because CMs have been diagnosed (and recovered) so it does seem to be lingering there, hence the advisory. When are you traveling? If in two months- I would wait and see. If soon.... I think I would try to reschedule if possible. It is tough and heartbreaking I know.