Do You Need a Measles Booster Shot?
Measles is making headlines across the United States. While the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, , and vaccination rates have dropped to 91%. Currently, the U.S. ranks 12th in compared to other countries.
Whether measles will touch every state is no longer a question of if but when.
鈥淣ow is the time for everyone to make sure they are protected against measles, which can be a very serious and even deadly disease,鈥 says Andrew Pavia, MD, the George and Esther Gross Presidential Professor at the University of Utah and director of hospital epidemiology at Primary Children鈥檚 Hospital.
Current Measles Vaccination Guidelines
The current recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is that everyone receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine in early childhood.
Routine Recommendation for MMR vaccine:
- First Dose: 12 to 15 months old
- Second Dose: 4 to 6 years old or prior to entering school
鈥淭he two doses together provide 97% or 98% immunity,鈥 Pavia says. 鈥淭his immunity should be lifelong.鈥
When to Vaccinate Sooner
While the second dose usually isn't given until school age, that does not mean you have to wait. If your child has had the first dose, and it鈥檚 been more than 28 days since they received it, the second dose can be given to provide full immunity. This will still count toward school vaccine requirements.
It鈥檚 especially important to do this if you will travel soon with your child or if there is a current outbreak near your area.
鈥淚f you are traveling anywhere in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East, you need to make sure your child is protected,鈥 Pavia advises. 鈥淭his is also the case if you are traveling anywhere in the U.S. where measles has been reported.鈥
Children aged 6 to 11 months can also receive a dose of vaccine if they are likely to be exposed. However, vaccines given before 12 months of age do not provide lasting immunity, and the child will still need two doses after their 1st birthday.
When to Get Boosted
Children under the age of 5 are not the only ones who should be concerned about immunity. Adults who were vaccinated before the current schedule was in place may also be at risk.
Between 1962 and 1967, the vaccine that was available was substantially less effective than the current vaccine. People who received a vaccine at this time and who have not received a measles booster since then should consider being revaccinated.
People who received the vaccine between 1967 and 1989 also should check their measles immunity. During this period, the effective live measles virus was used, but it was only given once.
鈥淭here are many who would have gotten two doses, though,鈥 Pavia said. 鈥淢any schools, colleges, and universities required students to get a second dose before they enrolled. People in the military and those who work in health care also may have had to get a second measles dose.鈥
Measles Booster Shot Guidelines:
- If vaccinated 1962-1967: Get revaccinated if you never received a measles booster shot.
- If vaccinated 1967-1989: Check your measles immunity.
How to Know if You鈥檙e Vaccinated
You can find out if you need a measles booster by checking your vaccination record. Look for a small, tri-folded piece of yellow paper in your files listing all the vaccines you have been given in your lifetime. If you don't have a vaccination record, your primary care physician may have one on file.
鈥淚f you don't have access to your records, you can get a measles antibody blood test,鈥 Pavia says. 鈥淚f antibodies to measles are present, that means you have immunity.鈥
Making sure you are properly vaccinated against measles is important for your health鈥攁nd the health of your community. Some people cannot receive the measles vaccine because of allergies or immunosuppressive medications. Therefore, they depend on those who can keep the virus at bay.
鈥淚nfants under 12 months of age, pregnant women, and people who are immunocompromised can't get the vaccine,鈥 Pavia says. 鈥淭hey are depending on those who can be vaccinated to protect them.鈥
