Health officials in Vermont are urging residents to vaccinate their children after the state confirmed its first case of measles in 2025 earlier this week.That was the message from Dr. Lewis First, chair of the University of Vermont Medical Center's pediatrics department, as our crew worked to learn more about how to protect families from the virus.The Vermont Department of Health confirmed a school-age child in Lamoille County tested positive for measles at Copley Hospital on Sunday, March 9. The DOH said the child had been traveling internationally but did not confirm whether the child was vaccinated.However, First said it's especially important to ensure all children are up to date on their vaccinations. "Children are most susceptible to the measles because their immune systems are young, they haven’t developed," he said. "And if they have not been vaccinated at the appropriate time, they could really get the serious complications of this illness."First said on average, children should get their first vaccine between 12 to 15 months old. In special cases, infants can receive the first dose as young as six months old. The second dose is recommended between 4 and 6 years old. "Where a community is 95 percent vaccinated for their children five and under, then we have pretty good protection and we should do fine," First said. "Right now Vermont has 93 percent of the protection; we are below the line so that makes us vulnerable."First said in addition to getting vaccinated, washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces are other ways to protect yourself from measles. "It is shed by little droplets that come out when you cough, when you sneeze and those droplets can stay up in the air and circulate for two hours," he said. "They can land on a surface and survive for two hours."If you suspect you or your child has been infected, Laura Ann Nicolai, Deputy Epidemiologist for the Vermont DOH, said signs may not appear for up to a week. Early signs can include a cough, runny nose, red watery eyes and a high fever, followed by a red flat rash a few days later. "A rash generally starts at the hairline and moves down and out across the body," Nicolai said. For adults who received two measles vaccines, First said you are protected for the rest of your life. He added that there is no cure for measles, and supplements like Vitamin A will only help symptoms in your eyes. Following the case in Vermont, Nicolai said the DOH is in contact with anyone who may have been in contact with the child who has a confirmed case. So far, no other cases have been reported in Vermont.