As of this month, there have been 712 confirmed cases of measles this year in the U.S., according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority can be traced back to an outbreak that began among a largely unvaccinated population in western Texas.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that typically results in a cough, fever, and rash, but it can also cause more severe issues, like pneumonia and swelling of the brain. So far this year, 79 people have been hospitalized with measles and three have died, per the CDC.
Experts say the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated, which should provide immunity for many years. But some adults — even those who’ve had two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine — may also benefit from a booster. Here’s what you need to know.
Who should consider getting a measles booster?
Barbara Bawer, MD, a primary care physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells us that “people born between 1963 and 1968” may want to think about getting another shot. That’s because during this period, a version of the vaccine that used an inactivated form of the virus was administered and later withdrawn because it was found to be less effective. It’s thought that 600,000 to 900,000 people in the U.S. received that shot, says Bill Moss, MD, executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center.
Some people born between 1968 and 1989 may have also received just one dose of the MMR vaccine, the Washington Post reports. The CDC considers that sufficient for most adults, but experts say you may want to get a booster if you live in an area where there’s been an outbreak or you’re planning to travel abroad. (Here’s more on where cases are spiking.)
Are people born before 1957 considered immune from measles?
Most people born before 1957 “were infected naturally in childhood and are presumed to have immunity,” Dr. Bawer tells us. It’s generally thought that these people don’t need the MMR vaccine, but even if you do have natural immunity, it’s not harmful to get an additional dose.
How can you find out if you’ve already gotten the measles vaccine?
If you can’t find anything in your medical records, you might be able to get the information you need by contacting your state’s health department. According to the Post, some states and cities have vaccine registries.
Dr. Bawer says you can also contact your primary care physician to request a blood test, which can confirm if you have positive antibodies. But if you’re still not sure, it also doesn’t hurt to simply get vaxxed again, Priya Sampathkumar, an infectious-disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic, tells the Post.
