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About the measles vaccine
About the measles vaccine and where to get it
1. What is the measles vaccine and how well does it work?
The most common vaccine for measles is MMR. This vaccine protects you from three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. One dose is about 93% effective.
2. Who needs the measles vaccine (MMR)?
- Children need 2 doses of MMR vaccine.
- First dose: 12-15 months of age.
- Second dose: 4-6 years of age, or at least 28 days after the first dose.
- Babies 6-11 months should get an early dose before international travel. If you will be traveling to a place in the U.S. where measles is spreading, ask your child's doctor if they should get an early dose. Babies who get vaccinated early will still need two additional doses.
- Adults: Most adults need 1 dose of MMR vaccine in their lifetime. Get a dose of MMR if:
- were born in 1957 or later AND
- you've never had measles AND
- weren't vaccinated AND
- don't have a vaccine record or a blood test showing immunity
- Some adults need two doses of MMR in their lifetime. Make sure you've had two doses if you are in any of these groups:
- Health care workers
- International travelers. Find more information about measles and international travel
- Students in post high school education
- People with HIV
- People who live with someone who is immunocompromised
- Some people vaccinated before 1968. One type of vaccine offered then didn’t work well. Talk to your doctor to see if you need another dose.
If you’ve had two doses of MMR vaccine at any point in your life, you don’t need additional doses. The vaccine protection usually lasts for life.
Find more information about who needs measles vaccine.
3. Can I still get measles if I am fully vaccinated?
It’s possible but very unlikely. Imagine that a group of 100 fully vaccinated people come into contact with measles. Around three out of them will get infected, and they will probably have a mild illness. Compare that to a group of 100 unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles. Up to 90 of the unvaccinated could get infected and about 18 will need to be hospitalized.
Fully vaccinated people are also less likely to spread measles to other people, like children who are too young to get vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems.
4. What if I'm unsure of my vaccination history?
You may be able to get a blood test called a titer. It will show whether you have immunity. But it’s often less expensive to get a dose of MMR. Getting vaccinated is safe and effective even if you’ve been vaccinated in the past. Ask your doctor specific questions about your health.
5. Where can I get a measles vaccine?
Visit Where to get vaccinated in King County
Vaccine safety and monitoring:
1. Is the measles vaccine safe?
Research has shown that the measles vaccine (MMR) is safe. Getting vaccinated is much safer than getting measles, mumps, or rubella.
Learn more about MMR vaccine safety.
2. How are vaccines monitored for safety?
Vaccines are tested before they're licensed for use. Once a vaccine is in use, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration monitor the vaccine to make sure it’s safe and effective.
3. Are there side effects from the vaccine?
Like any medication, the measles vaccine (MMR) may cause side effects. Most are mild:
- Pain at the injection site
- Fever
- Mild rash
- Swollen glands in the cheek or neck
4. Can you get measles from someone who has recently been vaccinated?
No, the weakened virus in the MMR vaccine cannot be passed from person to person.
For pregnant people and new parents:
1. Should pregnant people get the measles vaccine (MMR)?
Some vaccines are safe and important in pregnancy, like the flu, COVID, and Tdap vaccines. But pregnant people should not get the MMR vaccine. Anyone who is pregnant and needs the vaccine should wait until after giving birth. People should avoid getting pregnant for four weeks after getting the MMR vaccine.
2. How soon can a new baby get vaccinated against measles?
Babies should get the first dose of MMR at 12-15 months of age. The second dose, usually given at 4-6 years, will fully protect your child.
3. My baby is under 12 months old, but I’m worried about measles. What do I do since she is too young for the MMR vaccine?
Make sure that everyone around your baby is vaccinated. This includes parents, caregivers, siblings, and friends. You may also want to consider delaying travel to areas where there are outbreaks