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Why Volunteering is Important for Your Child

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Encouraging your child to volunteer is a great way to help them think of others. Depending on the activity, kids as young as 2 years old can be involved, and starting young helps instill a service attitude that your child will carry forward throughout their life. The benefits of volunteering are many, not only to those receiving help or support, but for your child and your family.

  • Volunteering teaches caring, empathy, and selflessness. It raises awareness of those who are in need and teaches that even small acts of compassion are valuable.
  • Helping others increases self-esteem, as your child realizes their ability to make a difference on a personal level.
  • School performance and attendance are improved in kids who volunteer according to multiple research studies.
  • Some volunteer opportunities may provide information about possible careers in medicine, politics, conservation, etc. and listing volunteer involvement is helpful on a resume or college application.
  • Physical and emotional well-being are increased by volunteering, as are social skills especially if the activity involves working as a team. Group activities provide the opportunity to meet people of different ages and backgrounds.
  • In the wake of a tragedy or natural disaster, having the opportunity to help, for example by having a food drive, makes kids feel less powerless and overwhelmed.
  • Volunteering as a family connects kids and parents with a common compassionate goal.

There are lots of ways children of all ages can volunteer. Your local chamber of commerce or downtown association typically has a calendar listing about volunteering opportunities. Food banks often need helpers as well as food donations. Schools and houses of worship are good sources for more options. Look online for organizations that send letters to veterans, deployed troops, first responders, etc.; they love to have cards and notes written by kids to distribute. Think (very) local and see if there is a neighbor who needs help with raking leaves or maybe would appreciate a visit from you and your child. As a reminder, younger children should always be accompanied by an adult for one-on-one situations.

Volunteering helps us feel capable and connected, and yet only 25% of Americans volunteer annually. Coming up is more incentive to get involved– Friday, December 5 is International Volunteer Day. Knowing the benefits, start early making volunteering part of your family’s ‘brand’. You may well inspire others to do the same and we will all be the better for it.

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

The Importance of a High Fiber Diet for Kids

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Kids have an increasingly processed diet, which contributes to higher risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, as well as overall poor nutrition. There is another concern: inadequate dietary fiber. Fiber is very important for kids’ health and may play a role in decreasing colorectal cancer in young people, which although still uncommon, has alarmingly tripled in 15-19 year olds in the last 20 years. A high fiber diet is associated with a lower rate of all cancers, so starting this habit in childhood can pay off in the long run.

There are 2 types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water, binds to fats and lowers cholesterol, thereby helping to prevent heart disease.  The beneficial  bacteria in the gut feed on the soluble fiber, increasing the health of the microbiome (microorganisms in the intestinal tract). By controlling the blood sugar, soluble fiber also decreases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Since soluble fiber causes a feeling of fullness, it helps regulate the appetite and assists with weight control.

Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. It softens stool, helping keep bowel movements soft and waste going through the intestinal tract. By preventing constipation, insoluble fiber also decreases the risk of hemorrhoids and diverticulitis.

Getting fiber through a healthy diet is better than relying on fiber supplements. Healthy fiber-containing foods also have other nutrients and vitamins that a fiber supplement does not. Good sources include fruits, vegetables, nuts, lentils, beans, and whole grains. Avoid peeling fruit if possible (except for oranges, etc.) and serve the whole fruit instead of juice which has no fiber but is high in sugar. Avoid processed foods which usually have little fiber.

Include a fruit and/or veggie at each meal and emphasize fiber-containing snacks such as nuts, dried fruits, and carrot/celery sticks. Not all whole grain foods contain adequate fiber, so do look at nutrition labels, aiming for at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.  Popcorn (ideally without butter) has 6 grams of fiber per serving so is fine as an occasional snack.

To estimate how much fiber your child should have daily, add 5-10 to their age. As an example, a 5-year-old should take in 10-15 grams of fiber per day. For comparison, an adult should have about 25-30 grams daily. Go slowly as you increase the fiber, otherwise bloating and discomfort may occur. If your child is old enough, you can look up recipes together using beans, lentils, and other high fiber foods and then have fun cooking up healthy meals. The whole family should make this change to a healthier high fiber diet together, with parents, as aways, leading by example.

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Sore Throats in Kids

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As we move into fall, viruses and bacteria begin to circulate. Kids often complain of a sore throat this time of year, which is usually caused by a virus. Viral sore throat occurs with typical cold symptoms including runny nose, congestion, cough, low grade fever, and hoarseness. Because this is due to a virus, antibiotics do not help, but the illness typically resolves on its own in about a week. Home care includes encouraging adequate fluids and Tylenol or Advil if needed for pain and discomfort; dosing depends on your child’s age and weight.

In children the most common bacterial throat infection is due to Group A streptococcus, known simply as “Strep throat”.  This illness comes on quickly and is not accompanied by cold symptoms. Strep throat causes pain with swallowing, redness of the throat, and swollen neck glands. The tonsils, which are located on both sides of the back of the throat, become red and swollen with white pus on them. There may be bright red spots on the back of the roof of the mouth. Headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and a sandpaper-like red body rash may also occur.

Strep causes 20-30% of pediatric sore throats. It is most common in kids aged 5-15 years and is very unlikely in those under age 3. Testing is done with a rapid test on a swab from the back of the throat with results are ready in minutes. Sometimes a throat culture is done to confirm a negative result though this takes 1-2 days. If there are ulcerations in the mouth or cold symptoms with a sore throat, strep testing is not usually done since the cause is almost certainly a virus.

Some kids and adults are ‘strep carriers’ meaning they carry a light amount of strep but do not typically get sick with it or spread it to others. Up to 1 out of 5 children are strep carriers. They will have a positive strep test, but do not need treatment. If kids do not have strep signs and symptoms, it is best to not test since you may pick up a carrier state which does not need antibiotics.

Strep throat is treated with antibiotics, usually a 10-day course. It is paramount to finish the antibiotics, even though kids usually feel better within 2 days. The full course of antibiotics shortens the illness and decreases the risk of spreading strep to others. Antibiotics also cut the risk of inflammatory complications after strep throat such as kidney disease and rheumatic heart disease. Kids may return to school and activities after 12-24 hours on antibiotics if they are improving and without fever. Your child should also switch to a new toothbrush after antibiotics are completed.

Home care for strep includes ensuring your child is drinking adequately and getting some nutrition, which may be challenging in view of the throat pain. Cool soft foods like smoothies or popsicles are usually easiest to swallow. Avoid acidic foods like orange juice. Tylenol or Advil are fine for fevers and discomfort but follow age and weight guidelines. Aspirin is not safe for children.

Strep spreads quickly and easily by respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or talks and by sharing personal items like cups or water bottles. Since strep can be transmitted for 3 days before someone develops symptoms, it is best to routinely avoid sharing silverware, glasses, etc. Frequent handwashing and avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth help limit spread of strep and other illnesses- especially important this time of year.

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Help Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem

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Self-esteem is the way we feel about ourselves and is central to how we move through the world. If someone has high self-esteem, they feel confident and capable, and are more able to rise to a challenge and persevere. They can handle making mistakes, and do better overall in terms of school, work, and social interactions.

Those with low self-esteem feel negatively about themselves and their abilities. They may seem withdrawn, avoid challenges, and berate themselves if they feel they have fallen short. They do not stand up for themselves and may have more difficulty maintaining friendships and interacting with others.

Kids with low self-esteem may be moody or irritable. They may be hesitant to try something new, often predicting failure. If they make a mistake, they can be very self-critical, even calling themselves “stupid” or a “loser”. Self-harm (i.e. cutting of the skin) may occur as a way to deal with the negative feelings.

You can help build high self-esteem in your child by being loving, positive, and encouraging them to take on challenges. Don’t have them aim for perfection, an impossible goal, but instead celebrate when they try something hard or make progress towards a goal. Don’t give false high praise- -kids can often see through this which will make them feel less confident in their abilities.

Speak out about what makes them special and unique; avoid comparing them to others. As the parent, model good self-esteem, voicing self-confidence and your ability to tackle something challenging. Let your child hear that you are kind to yourself when you make a mistake and see that you still have self-respect.

Low self-esteem can be improved by getting out in nature (and off of phones and social media). Exercise, time with friends, and playing games can help your child feel more positively about themselves too. A volunteer activity (which you may do together depending upon their age) helps put the focus on others and how we can help instead of feeling negatively about ourselves. Your child may benefit from clubs or classes such as dance or karate that bring them together with peers they can relate to.

If your child is displaying signs of low self-esteem, talk with them about what you are noticing, and empathize with their feelings. Try to understand how the world seems to them even if what is concerning them may seem minor. If things do not improve over time, consider having your child speak with the school counselor or a therapist comfortable treating children.

By showing your child unconditional love, acknowledging their progress towards a goal, and encouraging them to challenge themselves, you can help boost your child’s self-esteem. Your child will be more confident and better able to handle what comes their way as a result.

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Bee and Wasp Stings in Children

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Being outside in spring and summer is terrific, but it does come with the risk of bee and wasp stings. It is important to know how to treat stings, what to watch for, and even better, steps you can take to decrease your child’s risk of being stung.

Most bees and wasps can sting multiple times since they do not lose their stinger. Honeybees have a barbed stinger, which remains embedded in the skin so they can only sting once. The honeybee stinger looks like a small black dot in the area of the sting.

The immediate symptoms of a sting are pain and burning; itching may follow. The area becomes red and swollen and this may increase over the next 3 days. A sting on the face can cause severe swelling including around the eye.

If there is bee allergy, anaphylaxis may occur within 15-60 minutes. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which may be life threatening and needs emergency treatment with epinephrine, available only by prescription. Signs and symptoms include wheezing, hives, respiratory distress, throat tightness, nausea and vomiting, and swelling of the lips and/or tongue. There may be paleness and fainting. An allergic reaction typically happens after one has had previous stings though can happen with the first sting. Bee allergy occurs in less than 1% of children.

Home care of bee/wasp stings:

  • If you see a stinger, try to remove it by scraping gently with a credit card or fingernail. Do not squeeze or pinch as this can release more venom. Wash with soap and water.
  • Apply a paste of meat tenderizer or baking soda for 20 minutes. Aluminum-based deodorant on the area is another option.
  •  Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) helps discomfort. Topical or oral Benadryl (do not use these together as it can cause oversedation) helps with itching. 1% hydrocortisone also decreases itching, is available without a prescription, and may be used 2-3 times a day.
  • Cool cloths or an ice pack can help relieve the pain.
  • Use an epinephrine product (injection or nasal spray) as directed if your child has a history of bee allergy

When to call your child’s provider:

  • If there is increasing redness and swelling after 3 days
  • If your child was stung in the mouth or eye
  • If the area of swelling is more than 4 inches across

When to go to the ER/ call 911:

  • If your child has known bee allergy and was stung, even if you treat with an epinephrine product (only available with a prescription)
  • If there are more than 5 stings per 10 pounds of body weight (or more than 50 stings in a teen)
  • If your child appears severely ill

How to help prevent bee/wasp stings:

  • Avoid scented lotions and perfumes
  • Avoid clothes with a floral print or floral colors
  • Have your child always wear shoes since some bees live in the ground
  • Keep food and drink covered; make sure there are no bees in open drink cans or on a straw

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Measles in Children

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The rise in measles cases recently has many people, parents included, very concerned, and with good reason. Measles is a viral illness that can be very dangerous especially for infants, children under age 5 years, pregnant women, and those with immune system problems. As of 2/26/25, there have been 165 cases in 10 states, including Washington, and sadly one child has died. Although the number of infected people does not sound very high, measles is one of the most infectious viruses known, so numbers are likely to grow. Measles infects 90% of those exposed if they are not vaccinated.

Measles starts with a fever (as high as 104), runny nose, cough, and red watery eyes. These symptoms usually start 7-14 days after exposure though it can take as long as 21 days to show signs. Two- three days later, small white spots inside the cheeks (Koplik spots) may show up. The typical measles rash starts on the face at the hairline about 3-5 days after symptoms begin. This rash consists of red, usually flat, spots that spread head to toe and may join together. Fever may spike to 104 when the rash appears. Diarrhea can also occur.

Complications are common with measles, especially in infants, children under age 5 years, pregnant women, adults over age 20 and those who have immune system deficits. Ear infections occur in 1 out of 10 kids with measles and pneumonia happens in 5% of all people infected. Brain inflammation (encephalitis) afflicts 1 out of 1,000 infected children and can cause brain damage, deafness, seizures, and death.  Nearly 3 in 1,000 kids with measles die, most commonly due to pneumonia or encephalitis. Pregnant women are at increased risk of delivering early and having a low-birth-weight baby.

There is a very rare complication that can occur 7-10 years after measles infection called Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE). It is a brain disorder related to the earlier measles for which there is no treatment and results in death within 3 years of diagnosis without exception.

The good news is that the measles vaccine (either as MMR [measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines] or MMRV (as above plus varicella [chickenpox] vaccine) is safe and effective. For kids it is a 2-dose series, given at ages 12-15 months and 4-6 years; adults who are unvaccinated may only need one dose. One dose of a measles vaccine is 93% effective at preventing infection, and 2 doses gives 97% protection. Common side effects include muscle soreness at the injection site, low grade fever, and a mild rash. Rarely there can be a brief harmless seizure due to fever, occurring in less than 8 kids per 10,000 vaccinated.

The Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, issued a statement on March 3, 2025, with the subheading “MMR vaccine is crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease” and then noted “Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.”

Earlier concerns about MMR vaccine and autism have been strongly disproved in multiple studies. The doctor who made those claims was found to have fabricated his ‘results’ and lost his medical license. Autism is often diagnosed at around the same age as when kids receive MMR vaccine, but the vaccine does not cause autism.

During a local measles outbreak, students who are unvaccinated are excluded from school for 21 days from the last measles rash identified in the community. If they are given the first dose of the MMR or MMRV series, they may return to school. If an unvaccinated child is exposed to measles, they should be immunized as soon as possible to decrease the risk of infection.

If you have questions about measles vaccination, contact your child’s health care provider. Measles is a very dangerous virus that is unfortunately also extremely contagious. Our best way of protecting our kids and our community is vaccination.

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Preventing Hearing Loss in Kids

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Excellent hearing is crucial to a child’s health and development. Poor hearing, even if mild, can cause problems in communication, learning, speech, and social skills. There are multiple reasons a child may develop hearing loss, including chronic ear infections, trauma, certain medications, and vaccine-preventable serious brain infections like meningitis.

In 2023 the American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement concerning one of the most preventable causes of hearing loss—excessive noise exposure, calling this a “largely unrecognized … serious public health hazard”. This type of hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. Over 12% of kids aged 6-19 years and 17% of adults under age 70 have permanent hearing damage from loud noise exposure.

Because children have smaller ear canals, higher frequency sounds are more intense and potentially more damaging. Think of noise as ‘dose-related’; the longer the exposure, the more risk even if just slightly louder than what is considered safe. Sounds over 75 dB for older children and adults can cause damage, depending on length of exposure. Noises we consider routine like city traffic, TV, and lawnmowers can harm children’s hearing. Concern has also been raised about infant sound machines used to help babies fall asleep. Since infants can have damage beginning at 60 dB, it is recommended to keep a noise level at 50 dB or lower, but sound machines may exceed this.

Depending on your child’s age, hearing loss can present differently. They may not meet developmental milestones. A 3-month-old should alert to a sound and babble back and forth. By 6 months, you should hear some consonants (“mamamama”, “dadada”, etc.). A 1-year-old will follow simple directions like, “Look at Mommy!”. Toddlers and older kids with hearing loss may have unclear speech, say “Huh?” a lot, and want the volume of TV or music turned up. Acute loud noise exposure can also cause ear pain and ringing in the ears (“tinnitus”).

Personal listening devices (PLDs) such as iPods, smartphones with earbuds, and headphones for watching TV can magnify the risk. The World Health Organization estimates 1.5 billion people worldwide are risking hearing damage from ‘unsafe listening practices’.

We can start early to protect our child’s hearing. Checking decibels in your child’s environment is helpful although decibel apps on phones are not 100% accurate. Anything over 85 dB can harm an adult’s hearing, and over 70 dB can impact a child. The louder the noise, the faster it can cause damage. 

Infant sound machines should be at least 7 feet away from a baby and at 50 dB max. Consider avoiding loud noise exposure (concerts, fireworks, etc.) but if unavoidable, younger children can wear sound protecting earmuffs (plastic cups connected with a headband) over their ears. Ear plugs are safe for older kids and there are different types; ‘musician earplugs’ dampen volume yet preserve audio quality better than foam earplugs from the drugstore.

Be a good role model by setting good rules for hearing protection and wear ear plugs yourself when appropriate. Set clear expectations for protecting every family member’s hearing. Loud background noise can also be distracting, worsen a child’s mood, and disrupt learning, so routinely having a quiet home at times can be a benefit. If you have concerns, talk to your child’s health care provider about getting a formal hearing evaluation by an audiologist.

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Mealtime without Screens

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Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

Mealtime should be a time to connect with our kids and enjoy healthy food in a stress-free environment. This idealized version is not always the case, and for many reasons, kids may end up eating in front of the TV, laptop, iPad, or smartphone. There are multiple problems with this—for both adults and kids.

Obesity:  In general, kids eat more in front of a screen. Some parents are happy to see their child (especially if they are a picky eater) eating more but being distracted while eating means eating mindlessly. This can lead to overeating in the long run since kids don’t pay attention to feeling full and therefore overeat. Research has shown that children who watch a screen during meals are more likely to be overweight.

Digestion: Digestion is aided by really noticing the aromas, the preparation and the sight of food. If attention is more on the screen than the food, digestion can suffer.

Missed social opportunities: When eating alone and watching a screen, kids miss out on connection with others over a meal, learning to make conversation and basic etiquette (taking small bites, not talking with your mouth full, etc.). Mealtime is a chance to slow down, enjoy our food, and socialize. You can model all of this to your child if you eat together, undistracted—powerful stuff!

Exposure to commercials: Commercials during kids’ programming are often for fast food or processed foods high in sugar and calories and aimed specifically at children. Not surprisingly, screen time during meals is associated with increased junk food consumption.

So how to change this behavior in your house? Anticipate that it may not be easy (for either of you) to break this habit, but keep in mind how important this is and stay with it. Here are some suggestions:

Make change gradual: Target one meal at a time, either eliminating screens altogether for that meal or decreasing the time. Substitute music, conversation, or reading books to your child (not having an app read a book). Starting with a no-screen snack is an easy way to begin.

Adults adopt the change, too: No screens for adults as well at mealtimes, not even to text. You can tell your child this is hard for you, too, but you know how important it is for everyone to make this change. Explain your plan to other adults who may provide meals (childcare, sitters, grandparents) so they are also on board with this—consistency is vital for success.

Follow a schedule: Eliminate screens at one meal or snack every 1-2 weeks and you will accomplish the overall goal within 1-2 months. Talk about how different mealtimes are now that you are connecting and eating more mindfully.

Be firm: Don’t give in to tantrums or your child eating less. This behavior will be short-lived, so don’t let it throw you off track. You can however have some occasional exceptions such as snacks while watching sports, but these should be infrequent.

Children age 8-12 in the US look at screens for 5 ½ hours daily and teens spend an average of 8 hours a day on their devices—pretty stunning statistics. Kids who watch a screen during mealtime spend more time on devices overall. Changing this behavior is a good place to start to take control of the excessive screen use in most of our lives.

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Measles Cases Rising 2024

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Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

Measles cases are on the rise, and although numbers in the US are small right now, there is cause for concern. Measles is one the most contagious human viruses, with a 90% chance of someone who is not immune getting infected if they are near someone with measles. People with measles can infect others for 4 days before they have any signs of being sick, and for 4 days after the rash appears. The virus stays in the air and is infectious for 2 hours after the infected person has left. There is no treatment for the measles virus, however there is life-long immunity (protection) after vaccination as well as infection.

This recent rise in measles in the US is in part due to a mild drop in kids’ vaccination rates, often related to children missing routine health care visits during the pandemic. Although the current rate of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles is good at 92%, the previous rate of 95% was better particularly because that level gives ‘herd immunity’, meaning protection of those that were not or could not be vaccinated (due to young age, cancer treatment, or other immune system problems) by those who are vaccinated.

The number of measles infections world-wide has increased dramatically, up almost 80% in the last year to 306,000 cases. As people travel more, they can bring the infection home if they are not immune, potentially exposing many people before they know they are sick.

Measles spreads easily through airborne secretions from coughing or sneezing. Infection is also caused by direct contact with droplets from the mouth, nose, or throat. Symptoms develop 7-14 days later and start with profuse runny nose, cough, and red, swollen, watery eyes. Fever is often up to 104 degrees. The rash develops 3-5 days after cold symptoms begin and starts as flat red spots on the forehead, spreading downwards to the trunk and extremities. Some spots may become raised and join to from larger blotches. It is not usually itchy.

Measles itself is miserable, but the biggest concern is regarding complications. Serious complications include pneumonia in 1 out of 20 of those infected, encephalitis (brain inflammation and swelling) in 1 out of 1000 infected, and rarely, temporary or permanent blindness (more common in developing countries). One out of 5 unvaccinated people in the US with measles will be hospitalized, and 1-3 out of 1000 will die. Children under 5 and adults over 20 are most at risk of serious complications. Also at increased risk are pregnant women and those with immune system problems.

Measles vaccination is safe and effective and gives life-long immunity. Prior concern of a connection between the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and possible autism was based on fake ‘research’ and has been disproven by multiple studies by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, and the Institute of Medicine.

There has been a 99% decrease in measles cases since the vaccine came out in 1963. Prior to the vaccine, there were 3-4 million cases annually in the US and about 48,000 people hospitalized, most of which were children. Add approximately 500 deaths and 1,000 cases of encephalitis each year, and it is easy to see how miraculous vaccination has been.

The best way to protect ourselves, as well as the approximately 9 million people in the US who cannot get the vaccine due to an immune system problem, is to be vaccinated. Measles vaccine is recommended for kids aged 12 months and again between 4 and 6 years. It is also approved for adults who did not receive it as children. There are 2 types of measles vaccines- the MMR (as above) and the MMRV (also protects against varicella/chickenpox). Your child’s health care provider can provide additional information on measles vaccination.

Recursos en español

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.