Measles at Disneyland (combined threads)

[ClaraOswald]

I agree. It definitely would be a good idea to have a titers test done, just in case your immunity is low or nonexistent.
Earlier this week I had blood drawn for the titers testing.
I don't know why some people are able to receive their results within 24 or 48 hours and then everybody else it take many days. Blah!

It really depends on if where you're going has an in-house lab or if they have to send it out, I'm sure.

 

[crystal1313]

I got my blood tested last Thursday (1/22) and got results Monday (1/26). I'm immune.

 

[igomezhnl]

I did some calculations. Not sure if accurate but the rarity to get measels at Disneyland is about 1/24K people who visit the park. Based off of visitors per park, days past, approx infected. It is most likely we get sick from the cold or Flu.

Not saying that this is something to have a nonchalant attitude about. But gives us an idea. Seems like the media blows the disneyland part of it a little to much. It is a big thing, not from the point of interest of rather the outbreak to different states.

I did get tested, and immune supposedly to virus.

 

[countofmc]

I did some calculations. Not sure if accurate but the rarity to get measels at Disneyland is about 1/24K people who visit the park. Based off of visitors per park, days past, approx infected. It is most likely we get sick from the cold or Flu.

Not saying that this is something to have a nonchalant attitude about. But gives us an idea. Seems like the media blows the disneyland part of it a little to much. It is a big thing, not from the point of interest of rather the outbreak to different states.

I did get tested, and immune supposedly to virus.

December is the busiest month of the year, so probably what, about 2 million visitors? And the most recent article I've read said 52 people caught it directly at Disneyland. So yea, your estimate is probably not far off.

But I think that just goes to the fact that despite the anti-vaxx controversy, the majority of people that visited the park were vaccinated. And the measles vaccine is shown to be very effective.

 

[vettegirl]

Just spent 3 days at DL and there were babies everywhere even new borns. Also lots of pregnant women. Seems people are carrying on life as you could pick up measles anywhere not just DL. I made the decision and 6 month old went with me all 3 days, did I take a chance yes, however it's a personal choice one has to make. I thought flying into LAX was more risky then DL.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yeah, that's why it's recommended to avoid areas where there are high concentrations of people...like Disneyland, the airport, etc. Especially in an area with a known outbreak.

You wouldn't catch me bringing an under 1 year old or unvaccinated child to a theme park or on an airplane when 90% of unvaccinated people will catch measles if exposed.

A little fun isn't worth the risk to me.

Obviously you can't put your entire life on hold and never leave the house. But there are some places that it's pretty easy to avoid. Like airports/planes and Disneyland.

 

[Fireflyblue]

If you have an infant over the age of 6 months, you can check with your pediatrician about getting an early vaccine. I am taking my 6.5 month old in next thursday to get the MMR vaccine. He will still get it again at 12 months and 4 years, but I'd rather be safe then him get the measles. We live in SoCal and are annual pass holders and because of the outbreak, our dr approved our son for the vaccine. He didn't think it was super necessary, but i'd rather not have to worry about the measles. Also Disney was kind enough to extend our expiration date on our annual pass since we couldn't use it all this month.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I think the main reason it's best to wait until after 1 is because there are certain immunities in the body (from the placenta and possibly breastfeeding) that will actually fight off the vaccine and make it ineffective. So giving it before 12 months probably has a lower chance of working. Not as low as not having one at all, of course.

 

[tygersclaw]

My DD who is 5.5 got her updates this morning and after talking to the RN at the Health Unit, I will be getting a booster on Tuesday.

Better safe than sick I always say

 

[Gisele]

It really depends on if where you're going has an in-house lab or if they have to send it out, I'm sure.

Yes, I figured that must be it. I did recieve my results this morning. I was told I was immune to measles. I was a bit surprised by that, who knows, maybe my blood was mixed up. lol I was almost dissapointed. I still think getting a booster would not be a bad idea. IDK?

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, I figured that must be it. I did recieve my results this morning. I was told I was immune to measles. I was a bit surprised by that, who knows, maybe my blood was mixed up. lol I was almost dissapointed. I still think getting a booster would not be a bad idea. IDK?

Believe the science.

If they say you don't need a booster, you don't need a booster.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yes, I figured that must be it. I did recieve my results this morning. I was told I was immune to measles. I was a bit surprised by that, who knows, maybe my blood was mixed up. lol I was almost dissapointed. I still think getting a booster would not be a bad idea. IDK?

I agree with the other person. If you're immune, you're immune. I don't think I'd bother with a booster at all.

 

[Butterfly123]

Yes, I figured that must be it. I did recieve my results this morning. I was told I was immune to measles. I was a bit surprised by that, who knows, maybe my blood was mixed up. lol I was almost dissapointed. I still think getting a booster would not be a bad idea. IDK?

I don't think you need the booster...you already are immune. I had a titer done, and I was immune, so no booster. My husbands Dr. said it was cheaper just to give him the booster, so that's what he did.

Be happy!! No shot needed!

 

[Malcon10t]

Yes, I figured that must be it. I did recieve my results this morning. I was told I was immune to measles. I was a bit surprised by that, who knows, maybe my blood was mixed up. lol I was almost dissapointed. I still think getting a booster would not be a bad idea. IDK?

It would not help. You have immunity. What that means is your immunity would kill the vaccine. That is why we do multiple vaccines. Let's say the child has mom's immunity still at 15 mos, if the immunity is strong, it will kill the vaccine, otherwise it takes. So we repeat the vaccine again at 4-5 to be sure.

It is easier for me to explain the Parvo virus in dogs. Mom gives immunity to puppy. We don't know WHEN exactly it will wear off. We give the dog a vaccine. If the mom's immunity has worn off, it takes, otherwise, the immunity kills the vaccine. In 3 weeks, we do another vax. Same thing. In another 3 weeks, same thing. One of these will take. We don't know when. Better to keep it covered. And it is cheaper to do 3 than to do the tests to check for immunity (and the time the pup could be without immunity.)

 

[starjazz]

I wouldn't just get a booster just cuz. If you don't need it, don't get it. While very minimal, there is some risk involved anytime you get an injection.

 

[DahliaRW]

December is the busiest month of the year, so probably what, about 2 million visitors? And the most recent article I've read said 52 people caught it directly at Disneyland. So yea, your estimate is probably not far off.

But I think that just goes to the fact that despite the anti-vaxx controversy, the majority of people that visited the park were vaccinated. And the measles vaccine is shown to be very effective.

I personally know 5 unvaxed people who were there at the time of initial outbreak/exposrue in December (for 2 of the days) and none of them got it....also saw tons of babies, and what, 3 came down with measles total from this outbreak. So even not having had the MMR, people are not all getting sick. It simply depends on how close you got to someone contagious or a contaminated surface. But in a park that huge, the odds of say 3 potentially contagious people infecting a ton of people are still pretty low...

 

[starshine514]

I personally know 5 unvaxed people who were there at the time of initial outbreak/exposrue in December (for 2 of the days) and none of them got it....also saw tons of babies, and what, 3 came down with measles total from this outbreak. So even not having had the MMR, people are not all getting sick. It simply depends on how close you got to someone contagious or a contaminated surface. But in a park that huge, the odds of say 3 potentially contagious people infecting a ton of people are still pretty low...

Very true. Great perspective on the size of the outbreak and odds.

We just hit three weeks from our visit and are rashless. Still hoping to be there a month from now, but we'll wait and see...

 

[Malcon10t]

Very true. Great perspective on the size of the outbreak and odds.

We just hit three weeks from our visit and are rashless. Still hoping to be there a month from now, but we'll wait and see...

Since the infection was Dec 15-20, you should be rash free as your visit was after the outbreak. Bigger infection rates are now coming from Urgent Cares where people are showing up in the waiting room unaware they have the disease.

I was there on Dec 20th, but since the kids had been Vaxed and I had had the measles, wasn't worried about it. I will say, having had the measles, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Probably the worst illness I have ever had.

 

[starshine514]

Since the infection was Dec 15-20, you should be rash free as your visit was after the outbreak.

Yes, but everyone was pointing out to me that it came out the CMs were infected after we returned, so without details about the CMs exposure dates being released, it wasn't possible to say that we hadn't been in contact with a contagious CM. We were there within three weeks of the initial exposure. So, CMs exposed initially could have become symptomatic during our trip.

My youngest is 9 months old, so she is unvaccinated.

 

[dngrmys]

We are planning on heading to Disneyland at the end of February and we will have an infant with us who is too young to be vaccinated. We are contemplating canceling our trip, but we are receiving conflicting information. On one hand, we are hearing from some articles that if you have an infant that is not vaccinated then you should stay away. However, we just found an article from Seattle Children's Hospital that mirrors exactly what our pediatrician is saying. Here are a couple quotes:

"For Babies Under 6 Months of Age: If a baby’s mother has had her MMR shots and/or had measles infection in her life she passed antibodies to her baby during fetal development while in-utero and continues to pass them passively while breastfeeding. Those antibodies provide protection for young infants and typically are thought to protect infants for up to 6 months or more." As a side note, my wife has been vaccinated and is breastfeeding.

and one more...

"Dr Marcuse frames it nicely saying, “While Disneyland was the site of exposure for what is turning out to be a remarkable number of cases, the visitors who transmitted measles and those exposed during the original cases during December have dispersed.” Currently there isn’t an ongoing outbreak in Disneyland. Dr Marcuse again explains, “While secondary cases are still being reported, particularly in California and some among Disneyland employees, these do not meet the criteria for an epidemic or continued extensive [person-to-person] transmission which would warrant immunization of infants 6-12 months of age.”

http://seattlemamadoc.seattlechildrens.org/measles-outbreak-with-a-baby-at-home/

We hate to cancel this trip as we already have a lot of non-refundable items booked, but what's lost is still not worth the risk to my child. I base decisions like these on science, but in this case (as with many), I have seen some conflicting science.