Exceptional Care for your child

(updated Mar 10, 2025)

Dear FPA Families,

We want to inform you that there has been a recently confirmed case of measles in our local area. With the one confirmed case, Northern Virginia is not considered a high-risk location at this time. If this changes, we will send an update with further recommendations. The location of the potential exposure site is Dulles International Airport (IAD):  in Terminal A, on transportation to the main terminal and in the baggage claim area between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5. If you have questions about potential exposure, please call VDH at (804) 363-2704. More information can be found here: Virginia Health Officials Investigating Potential Measles Exposure in Northern Virginia – Newsroom

Our team is working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) and other organizations in the DMV region to stay updated on the latest recommendations to keep our community safe.

Travel & MMR Vaccine Guidance:

• Children Under 12 Months (Not Traveling): The first MMR dose is not recommended before 12 months of age unless the child is traveling to a high-risk area. Northern Virginia is not currently indicated as a high-risk area. 
• Children Under 1 Year Old (Traveling to High-Risk Areas): If your child is under 1 year old and you are traveling to a measles-endemic area—including international destinations, Texas, and New Mexico—we can provide the MMR vaccine in office. However, your child will still need two additional MMR doses at ages 1 and 4. Please note, your insurance may not cover a total of three MMR vaccines and you may be charged for the additional dose not covered.
• Children Ages 1-4 Years (Traveling to High-Risk Areas and Not Traveling): If your child has had the first MMR dose after 12 months, they may be eligible to receive the second dose at least 4 weeks after their first dose. Please call our office to speak with a healthcare professional to determine if this is recommended for your child. In this case, they will not need another dose at age 4. 

Precautions to Reduce Measles Exposure:

Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that spreads through respiratory droplets. Here are some ways to protect your child and your family:
✅ Ensure your child is up to date on their MMR vaccinations.
✅ Avoid contact with individuals who have symptoms of measles.
✅ If your child is experiencing fever, rash, cough, runny nose, or red eyes, keep them home and contact our office before coming to any healthcare facility.
✅ Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
✅ If you suspect measles exposure, wear a mask and call our office for further guidance before visiting.

Measles Testing:

If you suspect your child may have measles, testing will need to be coordinated through the Virginia Department of Health (DOH). Please note that measles is an airborne virus, so proper precautions are necessary before visiting any healthcare facility. Please have your child and family wear a mask if you are visiting a healthcare facility. If your child is too young to wear a mask, please tent a blank over their car seat for additional protection. 

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office.

Sincerely,
Fairfax Pediatric Associates