PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Rhode Island Department of Health urged residents Thursday to make sure they and their children are vaccinated against measles before holiday travel and gatherings, citing outbreaks elsewhere in North America.

The department said measles cases and outbreaks have been reported in parts of New York and Pennsylvania, as well as in Canada and Mexico. It said travel makes exposure more likely and that the best protection is the MMR vaccine, which guards against measles, mumps and rubella.

Because it takes about two weeks for the body to begin building immunity after a shot, the department said unvaccinated people planning to travel should get vaccinated well ahead of their trips.

Children generally get a first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and a second between 4 and 6 years old. The department said infants 6 to 11 months old who will travel abroad or to an area with a known outbreak should get one dose before the trip, followed by the two routine doses after their first birthday.

"Measles is particularly dangerous for babies and young children, but is almost entirely preventable through vaccination," said Dr. Jerry Larkin, the state's director of health.

The department said pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and adults older than 20 are also more likely to suffer complications. Measles symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a blotchy rash. Anyone with symptoms should call a doctor's office before arriving so staff can protect other patients, the department said.

The department said it can provide the vaccine at no cost to families who have insurance problems or trouble getting care. A list of clinics is available at health.ri.gov/vaccine-clinics or by calling 401-222-5960.

This brief was drafted by AI from a public agency or political press release and published by The New England Signal. Why we use AI for stories like this one.