House & Home

Be Great, Vaccinate!

Nearly a month after passengers on board BART were warned that they might have been exposed to measles by a student who chose to ride the train after getting sick, two of the student's family members have also fallen ill. Fortunately, they took the precaution of staying at home during the incubation

Posted Updated

Nearly a month after passengers on board BART were warned that they might have been exposed to measles by a student who chose to ride the train after getting sick, two of the student's family members have also fallen ill. Fortunately, they took the precaution of staying at home during the incubation period rather than potentially exposing members of the public to measles, but the situation is a reminder that measles is a serious virus...
...and a totally preventable one. A simple vaccine can ensure that people exposed to measles won't get it. Think of it like a tiny San Francisco exterminator patrolling your immune system for invaders. It's important to make sure that children are vaccinated, and adults should ask their doctors if they need a booster vaccine to ensure they're protected. Vaccination is critically important to maintain herd immunity, which keeps the incidence of such viruses low in the population, protecting people who can't get vaccinated for health reasons (such as very young children and people with autoimmune disorders).

Call your doctor or health center today to check on the status of your measles vaccine: you can save a life by getting vaccinated, and it might not be your own.