Measles
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.
Signs and Symptoms
Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include: High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Rash – starts on the face and spreads down the body
Contact a healthcare provider IMMEDIATELY if you notice any of these symptoms.
Prevention
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
Children
The CDC recommends that children get two doses of the MMR vaccine.
- The first doses is given between 12–15 months of age.
- The second dose is given between 4–6 years of age.
Adults born before 1957
Adults born before 1957 probably had measles, and do not need an MMR vaccine, unless they are in one of the groups below (international travelers or health care personnel).
Adults born during or after 1957 who haven’t had measles
The CDC recommends that adults born during or after 1957 who haven’t had measles should get one dose of MMR vaccine. Adults who are health care personnel, college students, or international travelers who do not have immunity (laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of measles disease) should get two doses of MMR vaccine.
People who received a dose of measles vaccine from 1963–1967 may have gotten an inactivated measles vaccine that is not effective. People who were vaccinated between 1963–1967 should consult with a health care provider to determine if another dose of MMR vaccine is needed. Adults who are health care personnel, college students, or international travelers who got the inactivated measles vaccine between 1963–1967 should get two doses of MMR vaccine.
College students/health care personnel
The CDC recommends that college students/health care personnel who did not have two doses of MMR vaccine as children, or who do not have immunity (laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of measles disease), get two doses of MMR, separated by at least 28 days.
International travelers
The CDC recommends that people 6 months and older who will be traveling internationally should be protected against measles.
- Babies 6–11 months should get one dose of MMR vaccine.
- Children 12 months and older should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
- Adults who do not have immunity (laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of measles disease), should get two doses of MMR, separated by at least 28 days.
Find out if you and your children are up to date on the measles vaccine. Check our Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Wisconsin Immunization Registry. If you’re not up to date, call your doctor, pharmacy, or local health department to schedule the vaccine. If you are not able to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity, the CDC recommends that you should get vaccinated. There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles (or mumps or rubella).