Last updated April 3, 2025.
Measles vaccination recommendations
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reporting measles in Colorado. CDPHE is working with the local health department to investigate and respond.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination remains the best tool for preventing measles.
Make sure you and your family are current with the MMR vaccine or have evidence of immunity, especially if you plan to travel internationally or to areas in the United States where measles is spreading.
For most individuals, MMR vaccines should continue to be given per the standard MMR vaccine schedule.
Two doses of MMR vaccine provide approximately 97% protection against measles infection. People who get vaccinated according to the standard vaccine schedule are usually considered protected for life against measles and rubella.
Standard MMR vaccine recommendations
Children
Children are recommended to receive two doses of MMR vaccine.
- The first dose is given at 12–15 months of age.
- The second dose is given at 4–6 years of age, before kindergarten entry.
Older children and adolescents
- Older children and adolescents need two documented doses of MMR vaccine to be considered fully protected. Doses should be separated by at least 28 days.
Adults
Adults with no evidence of immunity to measles should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Two doses may be recommended for some adults, including students at colleges and other adult education institutions, people who are traveling internationally, and health care workers. After vaccination, it is not necessary to get a test to check for antibodies to confirm immunity.
- Evidence of immunity is:
- Having documentation of one dose of live, measles virus-containing vaccine (or two doses for most people in special populations) or,
- Having documentation of lab tests that show past measles infection or immunity to measles or,
- Birth before 1957. Most people born in any country (not just the United States) before 1957 are likely to have been infected with measles and are considered protected. This is a cautious assumption because the U.S. began routine measles vaccination before most other countries.
Adults vaccinated before 1968 who received either inactivated (killed) measles vaccine or measles vaccine of unknown type should receive a MMR vaccine, as the inactivated measles vaccine wasn't as effective.
Anyone 6 months of age and older traveling to places within the U.S. or internationally where measles is actively spreading
People aged 6 months and older who do not have evidence of immunity and will be traveling to places with measles outbreaks should receive MMR vaccine.
- Check CDC’s Measles Cases and Outbreaks webpage and CDC’s Global Measles Travel Health Notice for travel health advice and information on where measles outbreaks have been reported.
- There should be a risk and benefits conversation with a health care provider, including reconsidering travel that is not necessary for people who are unable to be protected from measles.
- Get vaccinated at least two weeks before traveling.
- Infants 6–11 months old should get one dose of the MMR vaccine before travel. Then, they should get two more doses according to the standard vaccine schedule.
- Children 1 year of age and older who received one dose of MMR vaccine after their first birthday should receive a second dose of MMR vaccine spaced at least 28 days from the first dose before traveling to an area where measles is spreading.
- Children who had two correctly spaced doses of MMR vaccine after their first birthday do not need additional doses of MMR vaccine.
Who else should get vaccinated?
MMR vaccination is important for children and adults who are not already protected against measles, including:
- Students at colleges or other post-high school educational institutions
- Health care workers
- People traveling to areas where measles is spreading
- People of childbearing age before they get pregnant
Who shouldn’t get vaccinated?
Some people should not receive MMR vaccine, including:
- People who are pregnant.
- People who have weakened immune systems, including people with certain cancers or people taking medications that significantly suppress the immune system.
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of MMR vaccine.
- People who are currently moderately or severely sick.
- Anyone who had a blood transfusion in the past 11 months.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about whether or not you should receive an MMR vaccine. For more detailed information on MMR vaccination, visit the recommendations for vaccination and assessing immunity webpage for health care providers.
Post-exposure prophylaxis for measles
People recently exposed to measles who cannot readily show that they are immune to measles should be offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Public health officials can help identify eligible people, assess any contraindications, and weigh benefits.
There are two types of PEP for measles to potentially prevent measles infection or to decrease the severity in those exposed who become ill with measles:
- MMR vaccine administered within 72 hours of initial measles exposure for most people 6 months of age and older.
- Immunoglobulin (IG) administered within six days of exposure for infants less than 6 months, pregnant people, and people who are severely immunocompromised.
MMR vaccine and IG should not be administered at the same time, as IG can lessen the benefits of the vaccine.
Find a vaccine provider
Find a vaccine provider or visit your local pharmacy.
Find your immunization records
Coloradans can check their or their child’s immunization records through the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) Public Portal. Please note that records may be incomplete if all vaccines have not been reported by providers.
Is the MMR vaccine safe?
Yes, the MMR vaccine is safe for most people. Vaccines are continually monitored for safety through multiple systems. The MMR vaccine does not cause autism.
- As with any medication, vaccines can cause occasional side effects. These are usually mild and go away after a day or two. These symptoms are a normal sign that your body is building immunity to the disease the vaccine protects against and show that the vaccine is working as expected.
- Some minor side effects include:
- Soreness or redness where the vaccine was given
- Mild rash
- Mild fever
- Pain and stiffness in the joints (mostly in teenage or adult women)
- More serious side effects are rare, including a high fever that could cause a seizure.
Choosing to receive protection through vaccines for yourself or your child is much safer than getting a measles infection.
