Spring Break Travelers Urged to Check Measles Vaccination Status

As spring break approaches, officials at Public Health Madison & Dane County are urging travelers to check their vaccination records to ensure they are protected against measles.

As of March 6, CDC reports a large measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, with over 200 cases. There have also been measles cases in 10 other states and New York City in 2025. 94% of cases are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.

Measles is a very contagious virus that spreads easily and rapidly through coughing and sneezing. Simply being in the same room or passing through an airport with someone who has measles is enough for an unvaccinated person to become infected.

“Unvaccinated travelers are at a higher risk of catching measles and bringing it back to their communities,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “Before you head off on your vacation, please take a moment to check your vaccination records. If you’re not protected, getting vaccinated now can help keep you healthy and stop the spread.”

The MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine can protect against serious illness. This vaccine is safe and effective. It provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles. The 2-dose series of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles.

In the 2023-2024 school year, 95.6% of K-12 students in Dane County had the completed MMR vaccine series. In 2024, 86.5% of 24-month-olds in Dane County had at least one dose of MMR. The target vaccination rate for MMR to prevent community transmission is 95%.

There's an online search tool to make checking vaccination status easier. It's called the Wisconsin Immunization Registry. If someone received their vaccines outside Wisconsin, those may not be in WIR. Adults might not have their childhood vaccinations documented in WIR.

The measles vaccine typically takes about two weeks to provide protection after the shot. There are options for making a vaccination appointment:

• If insured: Reach out to primary care provider or area pharmacy to make an appointment.
• If uninsured or for a child on BadgerCare: Make an appointment with Public Health online or call 608-266-4821.

If someone who is not vaccinated against measles travels, they should keep an eye on their health when they return. Measles symptoms begin with a fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. A rash can also develop that usually spreads from the head to the rest of the body. Anyone who develops measles symptoms should stay home and call their doctor’s office or clinic before visiting; because measles is so contagious, clinics must take steps to protect others in the office. Read this blog post for more spring break travel tips.