Adults may be under-vaccinated for measles, according to health experts

Some adults born from 1957 to 1989 are under-vaccinated for the measles according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and some doctors are recommending they receive another dose of the vaccine.

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Many adults are under-vaccinated for the measles and don’t know it, according to the CDC.

As of Monday, the CDC said a record 704 cases of the measles had been confirmed in 22 states, the largest outbreak since 2000.

The agency said at least 10% of the confirmed cases are in people who had already received the vaccine.

Local families said they don’t think about the vaccine unless they’re dealing with children,

Dawn Laird explained, “I didn’t know about it. When you were older, I thought it was when you were younger (one gets the vaccine and) it works throughout when you’re growing.”

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Doctors said depending on when you got the shot, it might not be enough to protect against the virus.

Until 1989 the CDC only recommended one dose of the vaccine.

According to the agency, a single shot is 93% effective, compared to 97% for two doses.

The CDC also said some earlier versions of the shot weren’t as effective.

The agency suggested those who received the vaccine before 1989 get a booster.

Stephen Williamson said, “I don’t think it’s necessary, but they say that it’s not harmful to get a booster shot. If you want to be absolutely safe I’d recommend you go ahead and get a booster.”

“I don’t know that I’d go out just to do that (unless) ... it happens to be there,” Laird said.

Cox Media Group