With the number of measles cases increasing in the United States, the Summit County Health Department is encouraging people who are not vaccinated against the disease to get the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine regardless of their age.

The MMR vaccine rate for children in Summit County who are considered fully vaccinated is 85.3%, which is at least 5% below where the community is considered safe, according to the department.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, cough and a runny nose, which may be followed by a rash.

One person can infect up to 90% of the unvaccinated people close to them, the department says.

Summit County Health has MMR vaccines available for everyone. Some insurance is accepted for child and adult vaccines. Call 435-333-1500 to determine if the department can bill your insurance.

In addition, as part of the Vaccine For Children program, the department can offer the MMR for a significantly reduced cost for uninsured and Medicaid children.

To check your immunizations records, visit immunize.utah.gov.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children younger than 5 and adults older than 20 are more likely to suffer from complications from measles, including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis.

No cases of measles have been reported in Utah in 2024, according to preliminary figures released Friday by the CDC. However, a total of 64 cases have been reported this year in 17 other states, according to the CDC — Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.

Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, thanks to a strong childhood vaccination program, the CDC says. The agency defines “eliminated” as no continuous disease transmission for greater than 12 months or not constantly present in the country and the nation retains that status.

“When outbreaks do occur, local health departments lead the response,” the agency says. “The playbook for ending measles outbreaks is decades old, and it works. People who are infected or who are exposed to measles but haven’t been vaccinated are recommended to stay home and away from settings where unvaccinated people may be exposed, like schools and daycares. By following these simple procedures, countless jurisdictions have successfully curbed local measles outbreaks and limited the illness and suffering that accompany them.”

The CDC says vaccination with MMR is the best and safest way to prevent measles and the vaccine is 97% effective when both doses are given, typically when a child is about 1 and 4 years old.

“The playbook for ending measles outbreaks is decades old, and it works,” the agency says. “People who are infected or who are exposed to measles but haven’t been vaccinated are recommended to stay home and away from settings where unvaccinated people may be exposed, like schools and daycares. By following these simple procedures, countless jurisdictions have successfully curbed local measles outbreaks and limited the illness and suffering that accompany them.”