NEWS RELEASE: Is your immunity 'on the clock'? Local health departments recommend checking your protection against measles ahead of the NFL Draft (posted April 2, 2025)

April 2, 2025 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
IS YOUR IMMUNITY 'ON THE CLOCK’? LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS RECOMMEND CHECKING YOUR PROTECTION AGAINST MEASLES AHEAD OF THE NFL DRAFT  
 
BROWN COUNTY, Wis. - The health departments of Brown County, the City of De Pere, and the Oneida Nation are jointly recommending all people who live locally or will be visiting during the NFL Draft review their protection against the measles virus. The NFL Draft (scheduled for April 24 –26) is an international event that will draw tens of thousands of people from across the country, including areas with outbreaks of the measles. As of March 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists 483 confirmed measles cases, affecting children and adults alike, in 19 states and New York City. The CDC reports 97% of confirmed cases this year are among people who are not vaccinated against measles or have an unknown vaccination status. 
 
“Measles is one of the most easily spread diseases, and a person who is infected can pass the virus to others before developing any symptoms of their own,” said Michelle Tipple, Community/Public Health Officer for the Oneida Nation Health Department. “The virus travels through the air on droplets of saliva and is spread by a sick person coughing or sneezing. Measles can stay in the air for up to two hours after a sick person has left a room.” 
 
Measles symptoms include high fever, diarrhea, coughing, runny nose, and eye and ear infections, followed by a rash that starts on the face or hairline and spreads down the body. The disease can have serious complications, especially in young children. One in five children who contract measles will be hospitalized, and one in 20 will develop pneumonia. Amid the current outbreaks, the CDC says one child has died from measles and an adult death is under investigation.  
 
“Due to how easily the measles can spread, stay home and away from others, and do not go directly to your doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care if you think you or your child has been exposed,” said Anna Nick, Brown County Public Health Officer. “Instead, it is important you call your health care provider immediately to talk about what to do next.” 
  
If you don’t have a health care provider, N.E.W. Community Clinic provides comprehensive medical care to support individuals without insurance and those who are on Medicaid and Medicare. You can call the clinic at 920-437-7206.  
 
The best way to avoid getting sick from measles is to get vaccinated. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, providing about 93% protection after the first dose and about 97% protection after the second dose. Anyone 6 months or older can safely get the MMR vaccine, and most people who do are protected for life. To check your vaccination record in Wisconsin, visit the Wisconsin Immunization Record (WIR) or contact your health care provider or local health department. There is no national organization that maintains vaccination records, so out-of-state visitors should check with their state health departments to see if they maintain a vaccination registry. Health authorities consider someone immune to measles if they: 

• Were born before 1957, OR 
• Have laboratory proof of immunity, OR 
• Have documentation of adequate MMR vaccination: 
  • One dose for preschool-aged children and adults not at high risk of infection. 
  • Two doses for school-aged children (grades K–12) and for adults at high risk (health care personnel, international travelers, and students at post-high school educational institutions).  

“If you don’t have access to your vaccination history or proof of immunization, we recommend discussing MMR vaccination with your provider,” said Chrystal Woller, Health Director/Officer for the De Pere Health Department. “Public Health recommends getting vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, as there is no harm in receiving an extra dose, especially if you are unsure of your immunity.” 
 
For more information about the MMR vaccine, please call your health care provider or N.E.W. Community Clinic at (920) 437-7206. Brown County Public Health also offers monthly vaccination clinics for children who meet certain criteria. You can visit StayHealthyBC.com for details about eligibility and to sign up. 
 
To arrange a media interview, please contact Brown County Public Health Communications Specialist Adam Behnke at 920-448-6439 or adam.behnke@browncountywi.gov.