Measles

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards.

Most infants born in the United States will receive passive protection against measles, mumps, and rubella in the form of antibodies from their mothers. These antibodies can destroy the vaccine virus if they are present when the vaccine is administered and cause it to be ineffective. By 12 months of age, almost all infants have lost this passive protection.

Children should get their first dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine at 12 months old or later. The second dose of MMR is usually administered before the child begins kindergarten, but may be given one month or more after the first dose.

Students (including college students), health care workers, and international travelers should receive two doses of MMR vaccine.