Leading Pediatrician Urges Vaccination Amid Measles Outbreak

Since the first measles-related death amid recent outbreaks was reported in Texas last week, cases have been found in New Jersey, New York and now Florida, prompting concern about the spread of the disease.

According to Dr. Dyan Hes, Medical Director at Highline Modern Medicine, says the vaccine is key to prevention. The first shot is 93% effective, second booster is 97% effective in preventing measles.

Named Top Doctor by NY Magazine in 2022, Dr. Hes completed her residency in Social Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y., and afterward, worked as a pediatrician and pediatric emergency room physician in Brooklyn, N.Y., for 10 years.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection, once believed to have been eliminated in the U.S., that often leads to a rash, fever and cough. Measles can be especially dangerous and even deadly for young children and babies. The disease is easily preventable with a regular measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hes says measles presents like any other virus in the beginning, with runny nose, cough and other common symptoms. The rash comes about three to five days after the virus starts, beginning on the ears and making its way down. Red eyes can be an early sign of measles.

Those most susceptible to the illness are unvaccinated, Hes says, including babies under 12 months old, who are too young for the vaccine.