In Riverside, California, a two-year-old named Everleigh Mercado has been diagnosed with measles, despite being up to date with her vaccinations. Her mother, Sandra Mercado, expressed her surprise and concern after her daughter, who had received all scheduled childhood vaccinations, contracted the virus. The diagnosis was confirmed at an emergency room in Loma Linda after Everleigh developed a rash and other symptoms following a community event with about 20 other children.
According to ABC7, breakthrough infections like Everleigh’s are rare. Dr. Afif El-Hasan from Kaiser Permanente Orange County explained that the first MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine provides about 91% protection, with the second dose increasing immunity to about 97%. Despite the infection, Everleigh is recovering well, likely due to the partial immunity provided by the vaccine.
Sandra Mercado believes that another unvaccinated child may have been the source of the infection. She emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, “I did everything I could to keep her safe, but because another parent chose not to do the same thing, now my child is suffering.”
Public health officials are currently verifying Everleigh’s case, and once confirmed, the Riverside University Health System’s Department of Public Health will begin assessing potential exposure locations. The case highlights the ongoing importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles, a highly contagious virus that can linger in the air for up to an hour after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
In related news, a recent measles outbreak in West Texas resulted in the death of a six-year-old girl who was not vaccinated. According to the New York Post, the outbreak has primarily affected unvaccinated children, underscoring the critical role of the MMR vaccine in preventing such tragedies.
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