New York New York! Christmas and the Holidays!

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It's the end of the semester and it's the holiday season! Robert and Ana came from Ohio. Alex and the baby Jaxson were here for an afternoon. Robert and Ana stayed here -- with Tyson, of course. And it feels like home again.

Linda has been in and out with all sorts of social commitments to attend....We've had a host of events to attend -- Eva and Jeff Himmel came over for dinner with Debbie Un and Errol Selkirk and friends of theirs -- Scott and Riva -- Eva, Errol and Riva had all gone to high school together so it was a reunion that Linda arranged! I think they all had a wonderful time together and it was great to have people over.

We went to Paul Frac's apartment to celebrate the holiday on Sunday -- love his apartment -- and the games were fun! Food and drink were delicious!

Two operas this past weekend -- La Traviata and Meistersinger die Nurmberg (Wagner) -- best production of Traviata that I have seen. I loved the minimalist set (all white) and the singer was fabulous. It was a special treat. The Meistersinger was 6 hours -- first part a little slow but the rest of the story picked up.

I watched The Story of Eli with Robert on TV...and actually liked Denzel Washington in this futuristic tale. It's great to escape.

And now I'm preparing for Vietnam, leaving on January 7, 2015 for five months. I'm checking out the medical advisory for Vietnam now. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/measles-vietnam

What is the current situation?

According to the World Health Organization, about 17,267 suspected measles cases, including 5,564 confirmed cases and 2 measles deaths, were reported in Vietnam as of November 20, 2014.

CDC recommends that travelers to Vietnam protect themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against measles, particularly infants 6–11 months of age (1 dose of measles vaccine) and children 12 months of age or older (2 doses of measles vaccine). Clinicians should keep measles in mind when treating patients with fever and rash, especially if the patient has recently traveled internationally.

What can travelers do to protect themselves?

Get measles vaccine*:

• People who cannot show that they were vaccinated as children and who have never had measles should be vaccinated.
• Infants 6–11 months of age should have 1 dose of measles vaccine if traveling internationally.

• Children in the United States routinely receive measles vaccination at 12–15 months of age.
• Infants vaccinated before age 12 months should be revaccinated on or after the first birthday with 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.


• Children 12 months of age or older should have 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.
• Adolescents and adults who have not had measles or have not been vaccinated should get 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.
• Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is nearly 100%!e(MISSING)ffective at preventing measles.



• The only measles vaccines available in the United States are the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccines. MMR has been used safely and effectively since the 1970s. A few people experience mild, temporary adverse reactions, such as joint pain, from the vaccine, but serious side effects are extremely rare. There is no link between MMR and autism.



• See Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for more information.


Apparently there's an outbreak of measles. Thinking about getting a shot.

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