Arlington is well-positioned to withstand any national upticks in measles cases, but it can’t become complacent, the county’s public health director says.
Arlington students have a 97.5% vaccination rate against the highly contagious disease, compared to 93.9% statewide and 92.5% nationally, according to data presented to County Board members on Tuesday.
The target rate for the vaccine is 95%.
“This really shows our community’s commitment to prevention, and we must be vigilant in maintaining it,” Dr. Deidra Parrish told Board members.
Parrish, a board-certified infectious diseases and preventive medicine physician, was appointed director of public health last fall. She succeeded Dr. Reuben Varghese, who had served as public health director for 20 years prior to his retirement in late 2024.
Measles once was a fairly common childhood disease across the U.S., but the availability of a vaccine since the 1960s has made it rare. Over the past year, however, there have been a number of outbreaks that have raised alarms.
Five measles cases were reported in Virginia in 2025, but there have already been four in 2026 — including three in Northern Virginia.
According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the recommended two doses of measles vaccine provide 97% protection against the virus. Protection lasts a lifetime.
State guidance calls for the first dose between 12 to 15 months, with the second dose at age 4 to 6 prior to entry into kindergarten.
According to VDH:
“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. The measles virus is spread through the air or by direct contact with nose or throat discharges from someone who is infected. The measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after a person with measles has occupied the area.”
“Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever, runny nose, redness of the eyes, and cough. The second stage begins around days 3–7 when a red blotchy rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body. The rash generally lasts 5–6 days. Small white spots, called Koplik spots, also may be seen on the gums and inside of the cheeks.”
“Middle-ear infections, pneumonia, croup, and diarrhea commonly occur in young children. Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) can occur in a small percentage of cases. Death due to measles is very rare in the United States and occurs in 1–3 of every 1,000 cases. Measles is more severe in children younger than 5 years and adults older than 20 years of age.”
Students entering Arlington Public Schools are required to be vaccinated in accordance with VDH guidelines.
Requirements include a minimum of two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, either as a combined shot or separately for each disease, before kindergarten.
