Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Buncombe County officials urge vaccination after six local measles cases
Loading...
Summary
Buncombe County health officials said six residents have confirmed measles and urged eligible people to get MMR vaccine, protect infants, and check vaccine records; clinics are offering early doses and screening to reduce exposure.
Buncombe County health officials urged residents to check their vaccine records and get immunized after the county recorded six confirmed measles cases. The guidance came during a county Facebook Live session where local pediatrician Dr. Bridget Fogelman and Buncombe County medical director Dr. Jennifer Mollendorf explained risks, clinic changes and how parents can protect infants.
Dr. Bridget Fogelman, pediatrician and partner at Asheville Children's Medical Center, said vaccination gives the body “a chance to make some protection against the virus,” and stressed the vaccine lowers the chances of severe complications. “Pneumonia can happen in 1 out of 20 unvaccinated children,” she said, and warned that rare but fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis occurs in about “1 out of 600 unvaccinated children.”
Officials emphasized infants are the most vulnerable because they cannot routinely receive the standard MMR vaccine until 12 months of age. Dr. Fogelman said practices are adapting to reduce exposures by screening patients, routing suspicious sick visits to triage nurses and, when appropriate, conducting parking‑lot visits to keep potentially contagious people out of waiting rooms. “We’re doing parking lot visits…so we’re doing our best to try to keep those from coming into our office,” she said.
Because of community spread, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is recommending providers consider administering MMR to infants aged 6 through 11 months in affected areas; Dr. Mollendorf encouraged parents to discuss that option with their health care provider. Dr. Fogelman noted the routine schedule remains optimal for immune response — “you have 93 percent immunity after that first dose at 12 months” — but added that a 6‑month dose is safe and can provide partial protection in an outbreak.
Officials also addressed treatment and myths: measles care is largely supportive — fluids, rest, and fever reducers — and vitamin A may help in monitored hospital cases but does not prevent measles. On concerns linking vaccines to autism, Dr. Fogelman said multiple international studies show “no credible evidence of any link between vaccines and autism.”
The county directed residents to its measles information page for updates and exposure locations and urged eligible residents to get vaccinated promptly. “My number 1 recommendation is to get the vaccine,” Dr. Fogelman said.
More information is available at the Buncombe County health site.
