Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease. An infected person can spread the disease to 15 to 20 others if vaccination coverage is insufficient among those around them. However, the disease can take severe forms (respiratory failure, neurological complications that are sometimes irreversible) requiring hospitalization and potentially leading to the patient’s death in the most serious cases. Between 2008 and 2017, Santé publique France recorded 33 cases of encephalitis and 20 deaths resulting from measles in France.

When a measles outbreak is identified, epidemiological investigations reveal a lack of vaccination, or incomplete vaccination, among the vast majority of infected individuals.

All children and young adults should be vaccinated against measles. It is a highly effective vaccine that protects against the disease in nearly 100% of cases after two doses. That is why, since January 1, 2018, the measles vaccine has been one of the 11 mandatory vaccinations for children.

The Directorate General of Health urges all unvaccinated individuals or those with doubts about their vaccination status to consult their primary care physician immediately to update their vaccinations if necessary.

In healthcare settings, healthcare professionals whose vaccination history or history of measles is uncertain are also encouraged to update their vaccinations to prevent the spread of this disease and protect the most vulnerable patients.

The Technical Commission on Vaccinations of the High Authority for Health also recommends vaccinating individuals over 6 months of age who have been in contact with a person with measles within 72 hours of exposure to prevent the risk of transmission.

More information on vaccination and the disease: http://www.vaccination-info-service.fr/