Measles

Measles is very contagious and can lead to serious health problems in babies. Fortunately, the measles vaccine, given to children and adults 12 months and older, is highly effective at preventing the disease. When we have a high rate of people vaccinated against measles in our community, measles doesn’t have the chance to spread. This helps protect babies before they can be vaccinated. 

How to protect babies from measles

The recommended age for a first dose of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 12 to 15 months. There are ways to protect babies from measles before they can be vaccinated:

• Make sure everyone around the baby is fully vaccinated against measles, including caregivers. 
• All people who are around the baby should wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Limit the baby’s exposure to anyone who has a cough, fever, runny nose, or red, watery eyes. This may look like a simple cold, but if measles is in the community, it’s better to be cautious. Also limit exposure to other children and crowds.
• Disinfect surfaces and highly touched objects in the home regularly.
• If possible, feed the baby breastmilk. Antibodies in the milk help protect them. 
• Check for health advisories on the CDC Travel Health Notices webpage before considering travel. Consider delaying travel to international locations with measles outbreaks. You can talk with your pediatrician about early vaccination as an option if traveling abroad.

Early immunization is not recommended at this time. 

Baby’s first MMR shot should be at 12 months of age, and the second at 4 years of age. In a larger outbreak, this guidance could change. Talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions. 

Symptoms to watch for

Measles symptoms begin with a fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash that usually spreads from the head to the rest of the body.

If your baby is exposed to measles

Contact your healthcare provider right away. They may be able to give an injection of immunoglobulin. This could help prevent measles or reduce how severe the disease is. It must be given within 6 days of exposure. 

Talk to your pediatrician

If you have questions or specific situational concerns, please talk to your pediatrician. 

• The vaccine is safe and effective. The best protection against measles is measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is much safer than getting the disease. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles. The MMR vaccine and its ingredients do not cause autism.
• The MMR vaccine is a 2-dose series. Two doses are 97% effective at preventing measles and one dose is around 93% effective.
  • Your child should get their first dose at 12 to 15 months old, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old. Children 12 months through 12 years of age may get the MMRV vaccine, which also protects against chickenpox.
  • Most teens and adults born after 1957 who haven't been vaccinated only need one dose. Some adults still need two doses. Visit the CDC's website for details on doses.
• You do not need a booster if you are fully vaccinated. 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 doctor.
• Most people who get measles are unvaccinated. During the current measles outbreak in the US, more than 95% of cases are among people who aren’t vaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. When the measles virus finds a group of unvaccinated people, it can spread very quickly. 

You can check vaccine records with the Wisconsin Immunization Registry. If you or your child received vaccines outside of Wisconsin, those vaccines might not be in WIR. Adults might not have their childhood vaccinations documented in WIR.

People born before 1957 are considered immune from measles. If you were born after 1957 and aren’t sure of your immunization status, your doctor can run labs to see if you have antibodies in your body.

• If you have health insurance: reach out to your doctor to get caught up on your vaccines.
• If you don't have health insurance or if your child is on BadgerCare: You can make an appointment with us on our website or call 608-266-4821. See our events page for any upcoming vaccination clinics.