Why Is The Measles Vaccine So Important?

Some people believe measles is just a rash and a fever that goes away in a few days. However, measles can lead to serious health problems, especially in children under 5 years old.  

Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea, while severe cases can cause blindness, pneumonia or encephalitis (swelling of the brain). In some cases, measles can be fatal. A school-age child in Texas, who was not vaccinated, recently died from measles complications, the first measles death since 2015.  

Health officials attribute the resurgence of measles in the U.S. to two things: The first is some parents not vaccinating their children out of fear or misinformation about the safety of vaccines. The second is people traveling to countries with measles outbreaks and bringing the disease to U.S. communities with low vaccination rates. 

“Vaccines are safe and they work,” Dr. Shalauta says. “Parents need to consider the benefits of vaccines and how they outweigh perceived risks.”

Most people in the U.S. are protected against measles through vaccination. However, some communities still have pockets of unvaccinated people. This matters because high vaccination rates help protect those who are too young to get vaccinated, like infants under 12 months of age. 

“When your children receive vaccines, they are protecting themselves and those who cannot be immunized, such as infants who are too young to be vaccinated. They are at the highest risk of serious illness, hospitalization and even death due to measles,” Dr. Shalauta says. 

Daniel Lichtmann, MD, a pediatrician at Scripps Clinic Carmel Valley, agrees. “The only safe and effective way to truly protect yourself from the virus is through vaccination,” he says. “For anyone who cannot receive the vaccination for medical or age reasons, the best and safest thing is to vaccinate everyone around them.” 

Health officials recommend children receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age, then again between 4 and 6 years old (before school entry). A single dose of the MMR vaccine is roughly 93% effective — and a second dose bumps that figure up to 97%, according to the CDC. 

Because the vaccine is not 100% effective, the risk of infection increases as measles spreads. If a vaccinated person is exposed to the virus, they can still get sick. However, their symptoms are usually milder and they are less likely to spread the disease to others. 

If someone is exposed to measles, getting the MMR vaccine within 72 hours can help, according to the CDC. It may provide some protection or lead to a milder illness.

The measles virus spreads when someone coughs, sneezes or breathes the same air as an infected person. The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, even after the sick person leaves the room. 

Health officials recommend that anyone with measles stay home for four days after the rash appears. Also: 

• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing and put used tissue in the trash can.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid sharing drinks or eating utensils.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, tables and counters.

Early on, measles causes symptoms that look like other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu or a cold. Symptoms include a cough, runny nose, fever and red, watery eyes.  

The main signs of measles are a red, blotchy rash and tiny white spots inside the mouth. These spots show up two to three days after symptoms start. 

The measles rash appears three to five days after the first symptoms. It usually starts as flat red spots on the face at the hairline. Then, it spreads down to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.  

Immediately call your doctor if you suspect that you or your child has measles or been exposed to someone who has it. 

“Your doctor will determine if you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age and lab evidence,” Dr. Shalauta says. “Your doctor can also make special arrangements to evaluate you without putting other patients or medical office staff at risk.” 

If you have measles symptoms after traveling abroad, stay home and call your doctor right away. 

Measles was once a common childhood illness in the U.S. before a vaccination program took on the disease in the early 1960s. Before then, up to 4 million people got measles each year; 400 to 500 died; 48,000 were hospitalized; and 4,000 developed encephalitis, according to the CDC. 

Public health officials declared measles eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 but the disease did not actually go away. While much less common compared to last century, measles cases and outbreaks have continued. 

Some parents mistakenly believe that childhood vaccines cause autism, a myth originating from a discredited study.

These beliefs have led some parents to use personal-belief exemptions in some states to avoid vaccinating their children. “But research has confirmed that vaccines don't cause autism,” Dr. Shalauta says. 

Vaccination rates rose in California after the state passed a law in 2015 making it harder for parents and guardians to opt their children out of immunization based on personal beliefs. However, some schools and neighborhoods still have low vaccination rates despite continued efforts to raise awareness about the safety and importance of vaccines. 

“Vaccines are safe and they work,” Dr. Shalauta stresses. “Parents need to consider the benefits of vaccines and how they outweigh perceived risks.” 

Health care officials started recommending two doses of the measles vaccine in 1989. Most people who got one dose before then are likely still immune. A second dose is recommended for health care workers and international travelers.  

Some adults born between 1963 and 1967 may also need a booster. They might have received a less effective measles vaccine. Those vaccinated in the 1960s would need to know which vaccine they got. If unsure, they could ask for reimmunization to be safe. Most people born before 1957 are considered to be naturally immune to measles.

If you’re not sure about your measles immunity, try to find your vaccination records. If you don’t have proof of immunity, talk to your doctor about getting the MMR vaccine.  

The CDC and the California Department of Public Health recommend the following immunization schedule.