Amidst a national uptick in measles cases, Nashville's very own Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) is sitting tight, ready to swing into action should the virus bob its ugly head here; however, it's quiet on the homefront with zero cases reported in Davidson County thus far. Proactivity is the name of the game, with MPHD urging folks who haven't received their shots to hit up their primary care provider and get the skinny on the vaccine scene.
Measles isn't playing around—this villain of a virus boasts high contagion credentials, making it crucial for Nashville's residents to strengthen their defenses. The CDC’s latest data reveals that if someone carries the virus in close quarters, nine out of ten unvaccinated individuals will contract the infection. Measles spreads through airborne particles after a cough or sneeze, with the germs lingering in the air for hours—an ominous reality, as people could be inhaling the virus without even knowing it.
It’s no wonder, then, that Dr. Sanmi Areola, head of MPHD, is sounding the alarm, stating clearly, "The best way to protect yourself against an infection is by preventing it in the first place," as reported on the MPHD website. And let’s be real—the key to that prevention is the MMR vaccine, your best defense against measles. The vaccine is available Monday through Friday, by appointment or walk-in, at Nashville’s health clinics across the city, with contact numbers provided for those scheduling in advance.
Just so we’re crystal clear on the numbers, according to the CDC’s tracking, more than 300 measles cases have surfaced in the United States this year alone. And you might want to grab your chair for this next bit—a whopping 95% of those infected weren’t vaccinated. That’s hardly surprising, considering two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97% protection against measles, while one dose offers a 93% chance of immunity. Honestly, it’s a no-brainer when it comes to opting for the jab.
So, while the health department here in Nashville is fully prepared to conduct contact investigations, testing, and administer Post-Exposure Prophylaxis as needed per their Vaccine Preventable Disease team's playbook—and they’re not stopping there, with isolation and quarantine guidelines also in place—let’s hope the city's residents step up, roll up their sleeves, and keep this measles outbreak strictly hypothetical. As we’ve seen, being prepared can make all the difference when it comes to our health and community well-being.
