Measles: Not Just a Childhood Disease
Posted 06/11/25
MMR Vaccine Is Safe and Effective
There have been 11 reported measles outbreaks in the US in 2025 to date, compared to a total of 16 outbreaks in all of 2024, with reported cases in adults as well as children. Measles is extremely contagious—almost everyone who has not had the MMR vaccine will get sick if exposed to the virus—and there are serious, sometimes deadly, health risks associated with this disease.
- The measles vaccine is safe. The MMR vaccine provides the most effective protection against measles, mumps and rubella. MMR vaccines usually protect people for life against measles and rubella; but immunity against mumps may decrease over time.
- Children should be vaccinated on schedule. Children should receive the recommended MMR or MMRV (also protects against chickenpox) vaccine at the schedule recommended for their age. See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for details.
- Adult vaccination: Adults who are not sure of their vaccine history should consider receiving one dose of the MMR vaccine. People vaccinated prior to 1968 with either inactivated (killed) measles vaccine or vaccine of unknown type should be revaccinated. This vaccine was available in 1963-1967 and was not effective.
- Exposed to the virus and not immune: If you don’t have immunity to measles and are exposed, talk to your doctor about getting the MMR vaccine. It is not harmful and may provide some protection against measles if given within 72 hours of exposure.
Learn more about childhood immunizations and how to protect children from the disease at the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
The CDC website contains helpful information for those planning to travel internationally or to outbreak areas in the US.
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