Measles

Anyone who believes they may have measles should stay home and contact their health care provider before going to a clinic or hospital. This helps prevent the spread of the virus to others. Be sure to mention possible measles exposure when calling for medical advice.

Unvaccinated individuals are most at risk of getting measles, 9 in 10 unvaccinated people will become infected when exposed. Meanwhile, 3 in 100 vaccinated people will become infected when exposed.

While measles can be dangerous for anyone who is unvaccinated, some groups face a higher risk of severe complications. These include:

• Infants and young children under age 5
• Adults over age 20
• Pregnant individuals
• People with weakened immune systems

If you DO NOT have a record of two MMR vaccines, please contact your doctor.  CDC recommended immunization schedule.

The BEST protection against measles is two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is quite safe and effective.

Free or low-cost MMR vaccines are available at many local health departments and are covered by most health insurance plans, including Medicare Part D and Medicaid. Check with your health insurance provider for coverage details. 

Measles can cause serious health problems. Some people get really sick and need to stay in the hospital.

• Ear infections: About 1 in 10 people, mostly kids, get an ear infection. This can make it hard to hear, and sometimes the hearing loss doesn’t go away.
• Lung infection (pneumonia): About 1 in 20 people get pneumonia, which is a serious lung infection. This is the most common reason young kids die from measles.
• Brain swelling (encephalitis): About 1 in 1,000 people have swelling in the brain. This can cause seizures, hearing loss, or learning problems.
• Death: 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 people who get measles will die from it.
• Pregnancy problems: If a pregnant person gets measles, it can cause the baby to be born too early, weigh less than expected, or lead to miscarriage.