Measles is a serious disease that can cause brain damage and death. Measles is caused by a virus and spreads easily. It can live for up to 2 hours in the air, which is why it used to be common in the United States. A cough or a sneeze could spread the virus.source: 1
In the 1960s, the United States started to use vaccines to prevent measles.source: 2 Thanks to most kids getting the vaccines, measles is now a rare occurrence in this country. If enough people get the vaccine to protect against measles in a community, then the disease cannot spread quickly and cause an outbreak or an infection in your child.source: 3
There are two vaccines that can prevent measles.source: 4 (1) The MMR vaccine protects kids and adults from measles, mumps, and rubella. (2) The MMRV vaccine protects kids 12 months to 12 years old from measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
Why does my child need to be vaccinated against measles?
How safe are the vaccines?
MMR vaccines have been administered and monitored for more than 50 years. MMRV vaccines have been licensed since 2005.source: 7 All the research shows the MMR and MMRV vaccines are safe.source: 1,source: 4,source: 8
Vaccines, including the MMR vaccine, do not cause autism. This misinformation has been studied for decades by experts and no link has ever been found between autism and vaccines.source: 8,source: 9 Visit the CDC and Autism Speaks for more information about autism and vaccine safety.
Like any medicine, there's a small chance that the MMR and MMRV vaccines could cause other serious reactions. However, getting an MMR or MMRV vaccine is much safer than getting measles.
How effective are the vaccines?
Two doses of the vaccines are 97% effective at preventing someone from getting measles.source: 10 Because most kids get the vaccines, measles cases have dropped by over 99%.source: 4
What are the vaccines’ side effects?
Most children don't have side effects. Any side effects are usually mild and go away in a few days. They may include fever, a mild rash, and swollen glands in the cheeks or neck.source: 8 Rare side effects can include seizures (sudden, unusual movements or behavior) from having a high fever (about 1 in 3,000–4,000 children who receive the MMR vaccine).source: 8 Seizures related to high fevers (called “febrile seizures”) can be scary but are usually harmless. Brief (short-term) low platelet count (about 1 out of every 30,000–40,000 children) may also occur.source: 8,source: 11
Understanding the Risks
Getting Measles vs. Getting Vaccinated
Measles
Vaccines to prevent Measles
Common: Mild to Moderate Symptoms or Side Effects
Symptoms can be mild to moderate and last 1–3 weeks:
- High fever (104 °F to 105.8 °F)
- Cough
- Red spots with white centers on the inside of the cheek
- Full-body rash
- Inflamed eyes
- Ear infections
- Diarrhea
If side effects occur, they are usually mild and last 1–2 days:
- Soreness
- Fever
- Mild, non-contagious rash
- Swollen glands in the cheeks or neck
Rare: More Serious Symptoms, Complications or Side Effects
- Pneumonia
- Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
- Clotting disorder
- Seizures caused by fever
- Temporary blood clotting disorder (low platelet count)
- Temporary pain or stiffness in the joints
I choose to vaccinate my child because I would rather prevent infection than treat infection.
When does my child need the vaccines?
Kids ages 1–6 years should get a vaccine to prevent measles as part of their routine vaccine schedule.source: 1 Kids can get the MMR or MMRV vaccines at the same time as other vaccines.source: 12
Children ages 4 and older who are not caught up on the measles vaccines can get their second MMR dose 28 days after the first dose, or their second MMRV dose 3 months after the first dose.
If a baby less than 1 year old travels outside the United States, they're in danger of catching measles. CDC recommends that babies who travel get a measles vaccine starting at age 6 months.source: 13
- First Dose
-
Between 12 and 15 months
- Second Dose
-
Between 4 and 6 years
More information
- Learn more about vaccine safety.
- Learn what other vaccines might be given at the same time as measles vaccines.
You can also visit these sites:
Sources
- CDC: Pink Book: Measles
- CDC: Measles History
- CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks
- FDA: Vaccination Is the Best Protection Against Measles
- FDA: Vaccine Facts: Why You and your Family Need Vaccines
- CDC: About Measles
- Immunize.org: Vaccine History Timeline
- CDC: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Safety
- CDC: Autism and Vaccines
- CDC: Measles Vaccination
- Annual Review of Virology: The MMR Vaccine and Autism
- CDC: Multiple Vaccines at Once
- CDC: Measles: Plan for Travel
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