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When Do You Get the Measles Vaccine?

Vincent Iannelli, MD

With the rise in measles cases this year, folks are asking when they routinely get the measles vaccine to help make sure they are vaccinated and protected.

Adults who aren’t high risk might be able to get away with simply having one dose of MMR or a measles containing vaccine since 1967.

Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer.

When Do You Get the Measles Vaccine?

Well, there kind of is.

Today, we routinely give:

However, if you are at high risk to get measles, especially if you are planning to travel out of the country or to specific areas with active outbreaks, you should get those doses early.

Early Doses of MMR

How early?

As early as age six months.

In fact, high-risk infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one early dose of MMR vaccine, a dose that will have to be repeated when they are 12 months old. This early dose is mostly about international travel though and not travel within the United States, unless there is a specific recommendation in a local area.

“For outbreaks with sustained, community-wide transmission affecting infants <12 months of age and with ongoing risk of exposures to infants, health departments may consider vaccination of infants aged 6-11 months in these affected areas (including visitors) with 1 dose of MMR vaccine. This recommendation should be made following careful assessment of the benefit of early protection against measles during a period of increased transmission and exposure, and risk of decreased immune response following subsequent MMR doses in infants vaccinated at <12 months of age compared with infants vaccinated at ≥12 months of age.”

Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

And children 1 to 3 years of age who are high-risk should receive two doses of MMR vaccine (instead of waiting to get the second dose when they are 4-6 years old), separated by at least 28 days.

This second dose doesn’t have to be repeated though.

When Did We Use to Give the Measles Vaccine?

Still, more than a review of the current immunization schedule, most folks want to know when we used to get vaccinated against measles. That’s what might help you figure out if you are vaccinated and protected.

Hopefully, you can just check your shot records too.

It might also help to know that we began:

So, how many doses have you had?

What to Know About Getting an MMR Vaccine

If you haven’t had two doses and are at high risk to get measles, get caught up and protected. Keep in mind that you don’t need to check your titers first and you won’t need a third dose of MMR. Titers might be a good idea if you were born before 1957 and aren’t sure if you had a natural case of measles.

“The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles is by getting vaccinated. You should plan to be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you depart. If your trip is less than 2 weeks away and you’re not protected against measles, you should still get a dose of MMR vaccine.”

Before international travel: Make sure you’re protected against measles

Lastly, if possible, try to get your second dose of MMR at least two weeks before your trip.

More on When We Give the Measles Vaccine

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