Are UHCL students protected from the measles outbreak? The 95 percent solution

The measles outbreak is an ongoing issue across the United States. Herd immunization, the concept that when a large percentage of a population is vaccinated, the spread of a disease is limited and creates a protection for those who are not vaccinated, is effective as long as 95 percent of the population is vaccinated.

Currently, the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s (UHCL) Health Center, states that the only vaccine requirement is the meningitis shot. Students generally exempted from the meningitis shot are students who begin their first semester at the age of 22 or older, students who are only enrolled in distance education courses, students (or parents/guardians) who provide an affidavit, signed by a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in the United States, stating that in the physician’s opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student; or an affidavit notarized and signed by the student, stating that they decline the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.

For students who may not know if they are vaccinated or not, there are ways to find out.

“The most foolproof way [to find out] is we can draw through blood titers that will show if you’re immune; if not, then its indicated that you get the vaccine, if you wish,” said UHCL Staff Nurse Laura Thomas, R.N., BSN. “The titers will show if you’ve actually had the vaccine or it’ll also show if you’ve had any of the diseases that it protects like the MMR.”

If students are not vaccinated and wish to be vaccinated Thomas said most primary care offices have the vaccines on hand.

“There are also places like quick clinics like Walgreens, CVS, things like that, that offer immunizations in their pharmacies,” Thomas said. “And if you’re uninsured, the cheapest place to go get vaccines is through the health department in the county which they reside in.”

To protect yourself from contracting measles, experts in the medical community encourage vaccinations.

Dr. Judith R. Campbell, MD, clinician-educator in the Section of Infectious Disease at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, explains that measles is easily preventable.

“The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective,” Campbell said. “Experts recommend that children receive the vaccine in two doses: the first between the ages of 12 and 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93 percent effective.”

Rakowski also offers advice to parents who are afraid to vaccinate their children.

“Parents should seek solid information on vaccinations, looking deeply into the risks and benefits,” Rakowski said.  “I agree that it is more challenging than ever to know what information is real and validated and what information is fabricated for financial means. If parents are interested in vaccinating a child against measles and ONLY measles, they should be able to do that.”

Rakowski also points out that the best offense is a good defense.

“The top enemies of the immune system are stress and sugar,” Rakowski said. “I recommend keeping both to a minimum. Many herbs are proven to enhance immunity.  My favorites are Reishi, aka Ganoderma, Echinacea and astragalus. Colostrum is also available as a supplement.”

Rakowski also encourages breastfeeding for mothers when applicable, as it is an excellent way to protect babies due to its natural passive immunity.

The CDC also offers non-medical recommendations for non-vaccinated people on its website, although they stress the importance of vaccinations.

“Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth,” states the CDC website. “If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Try to avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people who are sick.”

It goes back to the basics, Thomas said.

“It’s gonna be good hand washing, stay home if you’re sick, just be real careful about what you expose yourself to,” Thomas said.  “Hand washing is the number one [preventative] and always will be.”