The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is encouraging any Coloradans without the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine to get vaccinated amid a recent national rise in cases of measles.

"We are seeing a concerning increase in measles cases across the country, including in states neighboring Colorado," Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist at CDPHE, said in a news release.

Recently, a school-age child in Texas died from the disease, the first known death from measles in the United States since 2015.

The MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing this infectious disease, providing roughly 93% protection after one dose and about 97% protection after two doses, according to the release. The vaccine is available for little to no cost at doctor's offices, community health centers, pharmacies, public health clinics and some schools, the release said.