Giving Kids a Shot Against Measles

Medical professionals from Family Health Centers administered 537 vaccines between two events.

CVV News
July 9, 2025

San Diego-area, mother-of-two Kenia says her daughters’ close relationship means they want to do everything together. So naturally, when it was time for 4-year-old Jade to get her measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot at a measles vaccination event hosted by Family Health Centers of San Diego and sponsored by Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, 5-year-old Quentin joined her in the exam room at Family Health Centers’ Logan Heights clinic.
“Jade is going to kindergarten next year, so I knew she needed her measles vaccination shot,” said Kenia. “Family Health Centers called to tell me they were having a measles vaccination event, and that Quentin could also come to get some of her vaccinations updated for the next school year. I knew we had to come. This event just made it so much easier for all of us.”

Kenia’s daughters joined hundreds of other children who attended walk-in community vaccination events hosted by Family Health Centers of San Diego at the end of May. The events were held at Family Health Centers’ El Cajon and Logan Heights clinics and made possible through a sponsorship from Blue Shield Promise.

Medical professionals from Family Health Centers administered 537 vaccines between the two events, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations and other routine vaccinations such as DTaP and varicella.

This year, the state has reported multiple confirmed cases of measles, adding to a nationwide total of over 1,200 cases. “Measles is a serious respiratory disease that is highly contagious and spreads easily — the virus can stay in the air for several hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes,” said Dr. Jennifer Nuovo, chief medical officer for Blue Shield Promise.

The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is about 93% effective after one dose and 97% effective after two doses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose between the ages of 4 and 6.

”Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. For those who do not get the vaccination, the risk of measles infection and severe illness during an outbreak is much higher, the symptoms can be much more severe and could lead to more serious complications up to and including death,” said Dr. Nuovo. “That’s why Blue Shield Promise is committed to supporting the efforts of Family Health Centers of San Diego to make measles and other vaccinations easily accessible to families in San Diego County.”

Kenia said she’s taught her daughters to avoid close contact with sick individuals and to wash their hands frequently, but knows vaccinations are crucial to providing an extra layer of protection.

“With measles cases on the rise, it’s more important than ever to protect our communities — especially our children — through timely vaccination,” said Dr. Thao Tran, chief medical officer for Family Health Centers of San Diego. “These walk-in vaccination events at our Logan Heights and El Cajon clinics help remove barriers to care and make it easier for families to stay healthy.”

To learn more about the measles vaccination, visit Measles Cases Are Rising — Are You Protected? | Blue Shield of California | News Center. To learn more about measles, visit There’s a Current Outbreak of Measles. To learn about Blue Shield Promise, visit http://www.blueshieldca.com/promise.