Vaccination is the safest option to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles. Even if you are unsure if you have natural immunity, have been vaccinated before or can’t be vaccinated, there may be options for you.
Vaccination recommendations for the U.S.*
(*if you live outside the U.S. recommendations might be different, so please check with your local healthcare provider)
Measles vaccines are available in two forms: one that combines mumps and rubella (MMR) and one that includes all three plus varicella/chickenpox (MMRV). Both vaccines are live attenuated vaccines. Which means they contain live viruses that have been weakened. This prevents the harm caused by the viruses but results in strong immune protection.
Note – both available vaccines can be given at the same time as other vaccines.
💉Routine vaccination – schedule for kids:
🔹 First dose at 12-15 months
🔹 Second dose at 4-6 years of age
Vaccination questions for kids:
🔹 Is it possible to receive an early dose for 6-11-month-olds?
➡️ Yes, but it is only recommended if you are in an outbreak area or traveling internationally.
➡️ BUT – this does not count towards the two-dose regime, so your kid will still need to get the two recommended doses.
🔹 Is it possible to receive an early second dose for 1-4-year-olds?
➡️ Yes! If the child is in an outbreak area of traveling internationally, they can receive that second dose early, as long as it has been 28 days since the first dose.
💉Vaccination recommendations for adults:
🔹 If you are an unvaccinated adult and have not had a measles infection, you will need two doses of the MMR vaccine given 28 days apart.
🔹 If you have had measles at any point in your life you will have immunity and do not need to get vaccinated.
🔹 If you were born before 1957: you are assumed to have had measles and do not need a booster.
🔹 If you were born between 1957 and 1968: you may need a booster, check with your clinician.
➡️ If you were vaccinated between 1963 and 1967: you may have received a less effective “killed” vaccine, so you may consider getting the current more effective vaccine.
➡️ If you were vaccinated between 1968 and 1989: you likely received only one dose which is 93% effective. However, not everyone responds to the first dose, so consider getting a second dose, especially if you are in a higher-risk group (for example teachers, healthcare professionals, if you travel a lot internationally or are immunocompromised) .
🔹 If you were vaccinated in 1990 or later: you should have received two doses and do not need a booster as this provides a stellar 97% protection!
Who shouldn’t get vaccinated against measles?
Note – Please always check with your primary care clinician if you’re unsure. Because these are live attenuated vaccines the recommendations are a bit different from those for other types of vaccines.
🚫 Pregnant people – Also, avoid getting pregnant for at least 1 month after receiving the MMR vaccine
🚫 People who are severely immuno-compromised (for example, certain cancers, HIV infection, or those on medications that suppress the immune system)
🚫 People who are allergic to the vaccine ingredients or those who had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose
🚫 People who have an acute illness that they are still recovering from (for example the flu or COVID-19)
🚫 People who have tuberculosis
🚫 People who have received blood transfusions or blood products might be advised to wait three months before getting vaccinated
How long does it take to get immunity from the MMR vaccine?
10-14 days after the first dose, but you will need both doses to achieve maximum protection.
What if I’ve been exposed?
Timing is crucial, so make sure you seek out advice from your trusted Primary Care Provider ASAP because you might be eligible for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP):
🔹 For everyone 6 months of age or older with an exposure less than 72 hours (3 days) ago and NO immunity (either from a previous infection or vaccination) or you DO NOT know if you have immunity, then you can get a dose of the MMR vaccine and you won’t need to quarantine.
🔹 For infants younger than 6 months who were exposed less than 6 days ago, immunoglobulin treatment is recommended to reduce the severity of the disease and prevent the need for hospitalization – these children may need to quarantine for up to 28 days.
🔹 If it has been more than 4 days since your measles exposure you will need to quarantine for up to 28 days unless you have had at least one MMR vaccine dose.
🔹 For people with a compromised immune system, Immunoglobulin treatment might be an option, but this depends very much on your personal circumstances, so please check with your trusted clinician.
A word on titer testing to check your immune status for measles
🧪Having a titer test done is not necessary if your history of vaccination or a previous infection is known. Titers only measure antibodies, which are only one part of your immune memory.
🧪During an outbreak, don’t delay getting a vaccine, it isn’t worth the time it takes to get a titer.
🧪 Getting an additional dose is safe – if you don’t remember, but it turns out you actually did have the measles vaccine or a previous measles infection, getting an extra dose is safe.
Bottom line: Vaccines provide excellent protection against measles and are safe. Although it seems complicated, there is clear guidance on who should get vaccinated or boosted. If you’re unsure, talk to your clinician.
And don’t forget, masking and thorough handwashing are great additional strategies if you are in a high-risk area.
Stay safe. Stay well. Get vaccinated.
Love,
Those Nerdy Girls
Useful links/Sources:
CDC – Measles Vaccination [archived link]
CDC – MMR vaccine recommendations [archived link]
CDC – Measles vaccinations for specific groups [archived link]
NYC.gov – Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for measles exposures
ACIP – MMR Recommendations (2013) [archived link]
TNG – What is happening with the measles outbreak in Texas?
For more great information on measles:
