Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily from person to person. It causes a blotchy red rash. The rash often starts on the head and moves down the body. Other symptoms include

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Feeling achy and run down
• Tiny white spots inside the mouth

Sometimes measles can lead to serious problems. There is no treatment for measles, but the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine can prevent it.

"German measles", also known as rubella, is a completely different illness.

What is wild-type measles virus?

When someone who is not immune gets measles, wild-type measles virus causes the infection. Scientists divide wild-type measles viruses into genetic groups called genotypes. Of 24 known genotypes, the World Health Organization (WHO) lists 5 genotypes that are known to currently circulate and are most commonly seen: B3, D4, D8, D9, and H1. MMR vaccine protects you against all types of measles.

How is the type of measles virus identified?

Scientists identify the genotype in a laboratory using a method called nucleic acid sequencing. The genotype is based on the RNA (ribonucleic acid) sequence of the measles virus that caused the disease in an infected person.

You may be wondering what you as a parent really need to know about measles. CDC has put together a list of the most important facts about measles for parents like you.

1. Measles can be serious.

Some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clears up in a few days, but measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. There is no way to tell in advance the severity of the symptoms your child will experience.

• About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who get measles will be hospitalized
• 1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling, which could lead to brain damage
• 1 to 3 out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even with the best care

Some of the more common measles symptoms include:

• high fever (may spike to more than 104° F),
• cough,
• runny nose (coryza),
• red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), and
• rash (3-5 days after symptoms begin).

2. Measles is very contagious.

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected. Your child can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person has left. An infected person can spread measles to others even before knowing he/she has the disease—from four days before developing the measles rash through four days afterward.

3. Your child can still get measles in United States.

Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 thanks to a highly effective vaccination program. Eliminated means that the disease is no longer constantly present in this country. However, measles is still common in many parts of the world.

Even if your family does not travel internationally, you could come into contact with measles anywhere in your community. Every year, measles is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers (mostly Americans and sometimes foreign visitors) who get measles while they are in other countries. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.

4. You have the power to protect your child against measles with a safe and effective vaccine.

The best protection against measles is measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.

Your child needs two doses of MMR vaccine for best protection:

• The first dose at 12 through 15 months of age
• The second dose at 4 through 6 years of age

If your family is traveling overseas, the vaccine recommendations are a little different:

• If your baby is 6 through 11 months old, he or she should receive 1 dose of MMR vaccine before leaving.
• If your child is 12 months of age or older, he or she will need 2 doses of MMR vaccine (separated by at least 28 days) before departure.

Another vaccine, the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine, which protects against 4 diseases, is also available to children 12 months through 12 years of age.

How measles spreads

Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing.

If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.

Animals do not get or spread measles.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases

Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.

Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.

Measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspaceafter an infected person leaves an area.

How common was measles in the United States before the vaccine?

Before the measles vaccination program started in 1963, an estimated 3 to 4 million people got measles each year in the United States, of which 500,000 were reported. Among reported cases, 400 to 500 died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 1,000 developed encephalitis (brain swelling) from measles.

What are the vaccine coverage levels like in the United States?

Nationally, the rates of people vaccinated against measles have been high and stable since the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program began measuring vaccine coverage in 1994. In 2017, the overall national coverage for MMR vaccine among children aged 19—35 months was 92.7%. However, MMR vaccine coverage levels continue to vary by state, with 11 states in 2017 having MMR coverage levels of less than 90%. At the county or lower levels, vaccine coverage rates may vary considerably. Pockets of unvaccinated people can exist in states with high vaccination coverage, underscoring considerable measles susceptibility at some local levels.

Some states also post their state- or local-level school vaccination coverage assessment reports online. The local data may help parents understand the risks for vaccine-preventable diseases and the benefits of vaccinations for their children.

Where do cases of measles that are brought into the United States come from?

Travelers can bring measles into the United States from any country where the disease still occurs or where outbreaks are occurring. In recent years, many measles cases came into the United States from common U.S. travel destinations.

Why have there been more measles cases in the United States in some years?

Some years, states report more measles cases compared with previous post-elimination years. CDC experts attribute this to:

• measles outbreaks in some countries to which Americans often travel, and therefore more measles cases coming into the U.S., and/or
• more spread of measles in U.S. communities with pockets of unvaccinated people.

What is CDC’s role in responding to measles cases and outbreaks?

State and local health departments have the lead in investigating measles cases and outbreaks when they occur. CDC helps and supports health departments in these investigations by—

• communicating with public health officials from states with reported measles cases and providing technical assistance.
• gathering data reported by states on confirmed measles cases and evaluating and monitoring these data from a national perspective.
• testing specimens for difficult diagnostic cases of suspected measles infection when requested by states.
• using Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) methods to determine measles virus genotypes and strains.
• providing rapid assistance on the ground during outbreak investigations, often through a formal request by the state health department.
• investing in state and local health departments for public health infrastructure and laboratory capacity to support front-line response to suspected and confirmed measles cases.
• alerting clinicians, healthcare facilities, and public health officials around the country about current outbreaks and providing vaccine policy and clinical guidance for healthcare providers.
• providing information to public and healthcare providers through a variety of media including the CDC website.

Has measles been eliminated from the United States?

Yes. In 2000, the United States declared that measles was eliminated from this country. The U.S. eliminated measles because it has a highly effective measles vaccine, a strong vaccination program that achieves high vaccine coverage in children, and a strong public health system for detecting and responding to measles cases and outbreaks.

What does “measles elimination” mean?

CDC defines measles elimination as the absence of continuous disease transmission for 12 months or more in a specific geographic area. Measles is no longer endemic (constantly present) in the United States.

If measles is eliminated, why do people still get it in the United States?

Every year, unvaccinated travelers (Americans or foreign visitors) get measles while they are in other countries and bring it into the United States. Typically 2 out of 3 of these unvaccinated travelers are Americans. They can spread measles to other people who are not protected against measles, which sometimes leads to outbreaks. This can occur in communities with unvaccinated people.

Most people in the United States are protected against measles through vaccination. So measles cases in the U.S. are uncommon compared to the number of cases before a vaccine was available. Since 2000, when public health officials declared measles eliminated from the U.S., the annual number of people reported to have measles ranged from a low of 37 people in 2004 to a high of 1,282 in 2019.

Is measles a concern for the United States?

Yes. Since measles is still common in many countries, travelers will continue to bring this disease into the United States. Measles is highly contagious, so anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting the disease. People who are unvaccinated for any reason, including those who delay or refuse vaccination, risk getting infected with measles and spreading it to others. And they may spread measles to people who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health conditions.

Could measles ever re-establish itself in the United States?

Yes, measles could become endemic (constant presence of a disease in an area) in the United States again, especially if vaccine coverage levels drop. This can happen when people

• don’t get vaccinated on time,
• think they’re immune when they’re not, and can’t find documentation of their vaccine status (this is most common among adults), or
• delay or refuse vaccines for religious, philosophical or personal reasons.

Research shows that there is clustering of people who delay or refuse vaccines in certain communities. When measles gets into communities with pockets of unvaccinated people, outbreaks are more likely to occur. These communities make it difficult to control the spread of the disease. And these communities make us vulnerable to having the virus re-establish itself in our country.

High sustained baseline measles vaccine coverage and rapid public health response are critical for preventing and controlling measles cases and outbreaks.

Will the United States ever get rid of measles completely?

Yes, it’s possible. The first step is to eliminate measles from each country and region of the world. Once this happens, there will be no place from which measles can spread.

All member states in the six World Health Organization regions have adopted goals to eliminate measles by the year 2020. Once every country eliminates a disease, health officials consider the disease “eradicated” from the world. See the Measles and Rubella Initiative for more information.

I’ve been exposed to someone who has measles. What should I do?

Immediately call your healthcare provider and let them know that you have been exposed to someone who has measles. Your healthcare provider can

• determine if you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence.
• make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk.

If you are not immune to measles, MMR vaccine or a medicine called immune globulin may help reduce your risk developing measles. Your healthcare provider can advise you, and monitor you for signs and symptoms of measles.

If you are not immune and do not get MMR or immune globulin, you should stay away from settings where there are susceptible people (such as schools, hospitals, or childcare) until your healthcare provider says it’s okay to return. This will help ensure that you do not spread it to others.

I think I have measles. What should I do?

Immediately call your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms so that they can tell you what to do next. Your healthcare provider can make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk.

My healthcare provider or someone from the health department told me that I have measles. What should I do?

If you have measles, you should stay home for four days after you develop the rash. Staying home is an important way to not spread measles to other people. Ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to be around other people again.

You should also

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put your used tissue in the trash can. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid sharing drinks or eating utensils.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, tables, and counters. Standard household disinfectants will readily kill the measles virus.

Call your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your symptoms.

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms.

7 – 14 days after a measles infection: first symptoms show

Measles isn’t just a little rash. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Measles typically begins with

• high fever (may spike to more than 104°),
• cough,
• runny nose (coryza), and
• red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).

2-3 days after symptoms begin: Koplik spots

Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.

3-5 days after symptoms begin: measles rash

Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash breaks out. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.

• Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
• The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
• When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.

Your healthcare provider will probably be able to diagnose measles by examining you and asking about your symptoms and travel history.

To confirm the diagnosis, they will order a blood test to check for the measles virus.

Measles can be serious. Children younger than 5 years of age and adults older than 20 years of age are more likely to suffer from complications. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.

People and groups at risk of measles complications

Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, there are several groups that are more likely to suffer from measles complications:

• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults older than 20 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection

Common Complications

• Ear infections occur in about one out of every 10 children with measles.
• Diarrhea is reported in less than one out of 10 people with measles.

Severe Complications

Some people may suffer from severe complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). They may need to be hospitalized and could die.

Hospitalization. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles hospitalized.

Pneumonia. As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.

Encephalitis. About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.

Death. Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

Complications during pregnancy. Measles may cause pregnant women who have not had the MMR vaccine to give birth prematurely, or have a low-birth-weight baby.

Long-term Complications

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a very rare, but fatal disease of the central nervous system that results from a measles virus infection acquired earlier in life.

• SSPE generally develops 7 to 10 years after a person has measles, even though the person seems to have fully recovered from the illness.
• Since measles was eliminated in 2000, SSPE is rarely reported in the United States.
• Among people who contracted measles during the resurgence in the United States in 1989 to 1991, 7 to 11 out of every 100,000 were estimated to be at risk for developing SSPE.
• The risk of developing SSPE may be higher for a person who gets measles before they are 2 years of age.

Prevent measles and talk to your healthcare provider about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, especially if planning to travel.

Prevent measles with MMR vaccine

Measles can be prevented with MMR vaccine. The vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella.

Schedule for MMR vaccine if you’re not traveling

* CDC recommends this schedule for children 12 months and older.

** Acceptable evidence of immunity against measles includes at least one of the following: written documentation of adequate vaccination, laboratory evidence of immunity, laboratory confirmation of measles, or birth in the United States before 1957.

Check if your child is due for MMR vaccine

If you have children, see if they’re due for MMR vaccine:

• Check your child’s vaccination record,
• Contact their healthcare provider

MMR vaccine is safe and effective

Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.

There is no link between vaccines and autism

Scientists in the United States and other countries have carefully studied the MMR shot. No studies have found a link between autism and the MMR shot.

Measles can also be prevented with MMRV vaccine

Children may also get MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). This vaccine is only licensed for use in children who are 12 months through 12 years of age.

Paying for the measles vaccine

If you have insurance

Most health insurance plans cover the cost of vaccines. But you may want to check with your health insurance provider before your visit.

If you don’t have insurance or your insurance does not cover vaccines for your child

If you have a child and don’t have insurance or if your insurance does not cover vaccines for your child, the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) may be able to help. This program helps families of eligible children who might not otherwise have access to vaccines.

Measles is a serious disease that can lead to complications and death

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In fact, the measles virus can stay in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person was there. So you can get infected by simply being in a room where an infected person once was. It is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.

Measles starts with fever. Soon after, it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.

Vaccination prevents measles-related complications and death

Before the measles vaccination program started in 1963:

• an estimated 3 to 4 million people got measles each year in the United States;
• of these, approximately 500,000 cases were reported each year to CDC;
• of these, 400 to 500 died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 1,000 developed encephalitis (brain swelling) from measles.

Since then, widespread use of measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases compared with the pre-vaccine era.

How effective is the measles vaccine?

The measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus. One dose is about 93% effective.

How long does it take for the measles vaccine to work in your body?

For the measles vaccine to work, the body needs time to produce protective antibodies in response to the vaccine. Detectable antibodies generally appear within just a few days after vaccination. People are usually fully protected after about 2 or 3 weeks. If you’re traveling internationally, make sure to get up to date on all your measles shots. You should plan to be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you depart. If your trip is less than 2 weeks away and you’re not protected against measles, you should still get a dose of measles vaccine.

How does the measles vaccine work?

When you get measles vaccine, your immune system makes protective virus-fighting antibodies against the weakened vaccine virus. Measles vaccine protects you from wild-type measles because if you have been vaccinated and then are exposed to someone with measles, your body remembers how to fight off the wild-type virus. That’s because the vaccine trained your immune system.

Could I still get measles if I am fully vaccinated?

Very few people—about three out of 100—who get two doses of measles vaccine will still get measles if exposed to the virus. Experts aren’t sure why. It could be that their immune systems didn’t respond as well as they should have to the vaccine. But the good news is, fully vaccinated people who get measles seem more likely to have a milder illness. And fully vaccinated people seem also less likely to spread the disease to other people, including people who can’t get vaccinated because they are too young or have weakened immune systems.

Am I protected against measles?

CDC considers you protected from measles if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:

• You received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n) —
  • school-aged child (grades K-12)
  • adult who will be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission, including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers.
• You received one dose of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n) —
  • preschool-aged child
  • adult who will not be in a high-risk setting for measles transmission.
• A laboratory confirmed that you had measles at some point in your life.
• A laboratory confirmed that you are immune to measles.
• You were born before 1957.

For international travelers, CDC considers you protected from measles if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:

• You received one dose of measles-containing vaccine, and you are an infant aged 6–11 months
• You received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a person 12 months or older
• A laboratory confirmed that you had measles at some point in your life
• A laboratory confirmed that you are immune to measles
• You were born before 1957

Do I ever need a booster vaccine?

No. CDC considers people who received two doses of measles vaccine as children according to the U.S. vaccination schedule protected for life, and they do not ever need a booster dose

If you’re not sure whether you are fully vaccinated, talk with your healthcare provider.

I am an adult now but only got one dose of measles vaccine as a child. Do I need a second dose?

If you were born after 1957 one dose of measles vaccine is sufficient to be considered protected from measles. Certain adults may need 2 doses. Adults who are going to be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission should make sure they have had two doses separated by at least 28 days. These adults include

• students at post-high school education institutions
• healthcare personnel
• international travelers
• people who public health authorities determine are at increased risk for getting measles during a measles outbreak

If you’re not sure whether you are up to date on measles vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider. More information about who needs measles vaccine.

What should I do if I’m unsure whether I’m immune to measles?

If you’re unsure whether you’re immune to measles, you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity. If you do not have written documentation of measles immunity, you should get vaccinated with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles (or mumps or rubella). Another option is to have a healthcare provider test your blood to determine whether you’re immune, but this is generally not recommended.

Do people who got the killed measles vaccine in the 1960s need to be revaccinated with the current, live measles vaccine?

Yes, people who know they got the killed measles vaccine (an earlier formulation of measles vaccine that is no longer used) should talk to their healthcare provider about getting revaccinated with the current, live measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Not many people fall into this group; the killed vaccine was given to less than 1 million people between 1963 and 1967. Also, most people don’t know if they got the killed vaccine during this time. If you’re unsure whether you fall into this group, you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity. If you do not have written documentation of measles immunity, you should get vaccinated with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles (or mumps or rubella). Another option is to have a healthcare provider test your blood to determine whether you’re immune, but this is generally not recommended.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended for children by healthcare providers as the best way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella.

When should my child get the MMR shot?

One dose at each of the following ages:

• 12 - 15 months
• 4 - 6 years

Before traveling to another country, infants 6 to 11 months should get 1 dose of the MMR shot.

Why should my child get the MMR shot?

• Protects your child from measles, a potentially serious disease, as well as mumps and rubella.
• Protects your child from getting an uncomfortable rash and high fever from measles.
• Keeps your child from missing school or child care and you from missing work.

The measles shot is safe.

The measles shot is very safe and is effective at preventing measles. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own.

There is no link between the MMR shot and autism.
Scientists in the United States and other countries have carefully studied the MMR shot. None has found a link between autism and the MMR shot.

What are the side effects of the shot?

Most children don’t have any side effects from the shot. The side effects that do occur are usually mild and may include:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Fever
• Mild rash
• Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints

More serious side effects are rare. These may include high fever that could cause a seizure.

What is measles?

• Measles is a serious respiratory disease (in the lungs and breathing tubes)
• It causes a rash and fever.
• It is very contagious.
• In rare cases, it can be deadly.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles starts with a fever that can get very high. Some of the other symptoms that may occur are:

• Cough, runny nose, and red eyes
• Rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spread to the rest of the body
• Diarrhea
• Ear infection

Is measles serious?

Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.

For some children, measles can lead to:

• Pneumonia (a serious lung infection)
• Lifelong brain damage
• Deafness
• Death

How does measles spread?

• Measles spreads when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs, or sneezes.
• It is very contagious.
• You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, up to 2 hours after that person is gone.
• And you can catch measles from an infected person even before they have a measles rash.

Almost everyone who has not had the MMR shot will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus.

Is measles in the United States?

Every year, unvaccinated U.S. residents get measles while they are abroad and bring the disease into the United States and spread it to others.

Measles is common in other parts of the world, including countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Africa. When people with measles travel into the United States, they can spread the disease to unvaccinated people including children too young to be vaccinated.

How many measles cases are there in the United States each year?

From year to year, measles cases can range from roughly less than 100 to a couple hundred.

However, in some years, there were more measles cases than usual. In 2019, 1282 people from 31 states were reported as having measles. These measles outbreaks are a key reminder of how quickly diseases can spread when children aren’t vaccinated. Most of these people got measles in the United States after being exposed to someone who got measles while in another country.

What is measles?

Measles is a disease caused by a highly contagious virus. People with measles spread the virus through the air when they cough, sneeze, or breathe.

Symptoms of measles may include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Some people who become sick with measles also get a serious lung infection, such as pneumonia. Although severe cases are rare, measles can cause swelling of the brain and even death. Measles can be especially severe in infants and people who are malnourished or who have weakened immune systems.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who has not been fully vaccinated or had measles before can get measles. Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.

In the United States, most measles cases are caused by unvaccinated travelers who get infected while traveling abroad and bring the disease back to the US. Measles outbreaks happen when returning travelers spread the disease to people who have not been fully vaccinated

What can travelers do to prevent measles?

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against measles. Measles is a routine vaccination that children in the United States receive. The vaccine is given in 2 doses, with the first dose administered at age 12 through 15 months and the second dose administered at age 4 through 6 years. It’s a combination vaccine that also protects against mumps and rubella (MMR vaccine).

If you were born in or after 1957 and have never had measles or have never been vaccinated against measles, you are at risk for infection. You should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine before you travel, the second dose given 28 days after the first dose. People born before 1957 were likely exposed to measles as children and do not need be vaccinated with MMR vaccine.

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of MMR vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination.

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider, and tell them about your travel. Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

Measles cases in the U.S. originate from international travel. Make sure you and your loved ones are protected against measles before international travel.

It is critical for all international travelers to be protected against measles, regardless of their destination.

Which travelers are at risk?

You are at risk of measles infection if you have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past and you travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles is by getting vaccinated.

Before international travel: Make sure you’re protected against measles

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles is by getting vaccinated. You should plan to be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you depart. If your trip is less than 2 weeks away and you’re not protected against measles, you should still get a dose of MMR vaccine. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine protects against all 3 diseases. Two doses of MMR vaccine provide 97% protection against measles; one dose provides 93% protection.

Call your health care provider, your local health department, or locate a pharmacy or clinic near you to schedule an appointment for a MMR vaccine. CDC does not recommend measles vaccine for infants younger than 6 months of age.

Infants under 12 months old

• Get an early dose at 6-11 months
• Follow the recommended schedule and get another dose at 12-15 months and a final dose at 4-6 years

Children over 12 months old

• Get first dose immediately
• Get second dose 28 days after first dose

Teens and adults with no evidence of immunity*

• Get first dose immediately
• Get second dose 28 days after first dose

* Acceptable presumptive evidence of immunity against measles includes at least one of the following: written documentation of adequate vaccination, laboratory evidence of immunity, laboratory confirmation of measles, or birth in the United States before 1957.

If you and your children are not traveling internationally, follow CDC’s routinely recommended vaccine schedule.

Get Vaccinated and Prevent Measles

Since measles is still common in many countries, unvaccinated travelers bring measles to the U.S., and it can spread. Protect yourself, your family, and your community with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, especially before traveling internationally.

What countries are having measles outbreaks?

Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Each year, an estimated 142,000 people die from measles. Many countries have experienced measles outbreaks in recent years; this includes many popular travel destinations like Israel, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Ukraine, the Philippines, and more.

Before your next trip, check your destination and CDC’s global travel notices.

How do measles outbreaks start in the US?

In the United States, measles cases originate from international travel. The disease is brought into the United States by unvaccinated people who get infected in other countries. Typically 2 out of 3 of these unvaccinated travelers are Americans. They can spread measles to other people who are not protected against measles, which sometimes leads to outbreaks.

Since measles is still common in many countries, unvaccinated travelers bring measles to the U.S., and it can spread. Protect yourself, your family, and your community with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, especially before traveling internationally.

Do not travel if you are sick. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles.

Call your healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles.

After international travel: watch for measles

Measles is highly contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected. An infected person can spread measles to others 4 days before the rash even develops.

Watch your health for 3 weeks after you return. Measles symptoms typically include:

• high fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
• cough
• runny nose (coryza)
• red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• rash (3-5 days after symptoms begin)

If you or your child gets sick with a rash and fever, call your healthcare provider. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider that you traveled abroad, and whether you have received MMR vaccine.

What can healthcare providers do?

Before Travel: Check that patients 6 months of age or older traveling internationally have presumptive evidence of immunity against measles before departure. A self-report of a vaccination or disease history is not adequate evidence of protection. Vaccinate any traveler who does not have written documentation of vaccination or other presumptive evidence of measles immunity.

After Travel: Consider measles in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with fever and rash, especially those who have recently traveled internationally or who have close contacts who have recently traveled.