Utah health officials, seeing high infection rates for measles in Washington County, are recommending an early, extra vaccine dose for infants — even though it could leave children less protected from the virus later in life.

Infants between 6 months and a year old who live in or are traveling to Washington County should get a dose of the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The county in Southern Utah has seen 43 confirmed measles cases this year.

There is a reason, though, why the early dose is not suggested for every infant regardless of location, Utah health officials said.

The department said more research is needed for conclusive results, but some studies show the early dose can lessen the effect of the vaccine on t

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