Measles Is Back!

By Jeanne Williams Bennett, RC 12 past president 

People who were born between 1963 and 1968 received a measles vaccine during childhood that isn’t considered effective according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because of this, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends getting the MMR vaccine if you are in this group.

According to Dr. Ryan McCormick, adults born before 1955 likely acquired lifelong immunity through measles infection, which induces higher antibody levels. Dr. McCormick states that the CDC does not endorse routine adult boosters. The CDC advises that during an outbreak in your area, if you have an uncertain vaccination history, get one dose. For high-risk adults, serologic testing of antibody levels or the two dose vaccine (separated by at least 28 days) is recommended.

Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, recommends staying away from areas with outbreaks. Encourage your friends and others in your community to get vaccinated. Remember no such option exists for a child battling leukemia, an adult undergoing chemotherapy, those who are immunocompromised, or those who are at risk because of waning immunity. “We owe it to all of them to make sure we stamp out measles in the U.S. again.”

Ja, Dr. Ashish K. “Measles Is Back. And a Lot More People Are at Risk.” Time. March 10, 2025

McCormick, Dr. Ryan. ”Measles Vaccine Considerations During the Current Outbreak Examined. www. Substack.com.  Feb. 27, 2025.

Miller, Korin. “Does the Measles Vaccine Become Less Protective With Age? How to Know If You Need to Be Revaccinated.” Women’s Health, March 6, 2025.

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The League of Women Voters  has some advice tor navigating  social media. 

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President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President (legislation), Secretary, Treasurer 2 Delegates and 2 Alternates for NYSUT meeting and 1 Delegate/1 Alternate for AFT meeting.

If you have any questions and/or are interested in running, please email RC12.NYSUT@gmail.com. The next election will be at our general membership meeting Thursday, May 16, 2024 at  The Terrace at the Water’s Edge at 2 Freemans Bridge Rd, Schenectady, NY 12302

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Recently all retirees in the NYSTRS should have received or will shortly receive a ballot for the NYSTRS board seat election.  David Keefe has been diligently representing us for many years. In the past couple of days I received an email from Sally Courtright, who is challenging David for the retired member seat on the board. The email is attached below. Please be sure to vote by marking the ballot as directed and returning it ASAP, no later than the end of the month.This could impact your retirement pension.

In solidarity,

Stacey

I  am running for the retired member seat of the NYSTRS board.  My focus is on our children whose lives with be adversely impacted by the climate crisis if we fail to mitigate this problem.  I am calling for the divestment of the nearly $5billion that NYSTRS has tied up in fossil fuels.  My thinking is in line with AFT’s call for fossil fuel divestment earlier this year.  Please vote for Sally.

Best,

Sally Courtright