Members of the Plain community in Lancaster County share views as measles cases riseLANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. —Lancaster County has reported 268 measles cases, the highest number in Pennsylvania, along with two deaths associated with the disease. Plain community responds to measles outbreakTens of thousands of people in the Plain community live in Lancaster County. Members of the community shared their perspectives on the outbreak. One woman said her household has avoided contracting measles so far. She said she knows of other families who have had the disease but stayed in their homes to avoid infecting others. She added that much of the information she has received about measles has been through word of mouth. A man from Bird-in-Hand said he is not worried about measles because he had it as a child. He noted that this is the most he has ever heard measles being discussed. A mother of seven said her children are vaccinated, as is she. She explained that vaccinating her family was her choice, just as it is the choice of others to remain unvaccinated. She emphasized that getting the MMR vaccine is a personal decision, not one based on religious beliefs. Health experts expand outreach and vaccine guidanceThe University of Maryland Amish Research Center is working to keep the Plain community informed about the disease. Doctors say the first dose of the MMR vaccine is traditionally given at 12 months. However, 100% of the people diagnosed with measles in Lancaster County have been unvaccinated. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is recommending an additional measles vaccine for children starting at six months, in addition to the standard vaccine given at 12 months.This content is imported from infogram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
