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Baltimore Health Dept. Confirms 12-Month-Old Does Not Have Measles

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore City Health Department confirms a 12-month-old girl does not have measles.

"When we investigated the case, we were fairly certain that this was a false alarm," said Leana Wen, M.D., Baltimore City Health Commissioner. "However, given that measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, and given the outbreak going on around the country, we took every precaution in case this child turned out to have measles."

There has not been a documented case of measles in Baltimore in at least a decade.

"We are very glad that this child doesn't have measles," said Dr. Wen. "This should be a wake-up call, however, for any parents or caregivers who have not had their children immunized.  Getting children vaccinated against all types of preventable diseases protects not only that child, but everyone around them."

The CDC recommends all children get two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

The city's TIKE clinic provides free vaccination for children who are uninsured or underinsured.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, vaccination is available between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., at the Eastern Health District (620 N. Caroline Street), or on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. at the Druid Health Center (1515 W. North Avenue).

Nearly 99 percent of public school children have been vaccinated in Baltimore.

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