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About the measles vaccine
About the measles vaccine and where to get it
1. What is the measles vaccine and how well does it work?
The most common vaccine for measles is MMR. This vaccine protects you from three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. One dose is about 93% effective.
2. Who needs the measles vaccine (MMR)?
- Children need 2 doses of MMR vaccine. First dose: 12-15 months of age. Second dose: 4-6 years of age, or at least 28 days after the first dose.
- Students in programs after high school: If you attend college or another type of school for adults, you need 2 doses of MMR vaccine. The doses must be separated by at least 28 days.
- Adults: If you were born in 1957 or later and do not have evidence of immunity against measles, you should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.
- Health care workers need 2 doses.
- International travelers 6 months of age or older need 2 doses for added protection against measles. Find more information about measles and international travel.
3. Can I still get measles if I am fully vaccinated?
It’s possible but very unlikely. Imagine that a group of 100 fully vaccinated people come into contact with measles. Around three out of them will get infected, and they will probably have a mild illness. Compare that to a group of 100 unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles. Up to 90 of the unvaccinated could get infected and about 18 will need to be hospitalized.
Fully vaccinated people are also less likely to spread measles to other people, like children who are too young to get vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems.
4. Do I ever need a booster vaccine?
If you’ve had two doses of MMR vaccine, you don’t need a booster. The vaccine protection lasts for life.
Adults need at least one dose of measles vaccine, unless they have evidence of immunity. If you are a healthy adult with one documented MMR vaccine, you are fully protected. International travelers and healthcare workers need 2 doses. If you are unsure of your vaccine history or just want peace of mind, it is safe to get another MMR vaccine.
If you're not sure whether you were vaccinated, talk with your doctor. Find more information about who needs measles vaccine.
5. Where can children get the measles vaccine?
- If you have a healthcare provider: make an appointment with your child’s provider. In Washington State, all children up to age 18 can get vaccines at no cost. Your provider might charge a fee for delivering the vaccine (administration fee), but you can ask to have it waived if you can’t afford it.
- If you don’t have a healthcare provider:
- School Based Health Centers (SBHC) offer free vaccinations and other health services to children that live in the school district. Check out the map of SBHCs to find the closest to you.
- Sea Mar Community Health Centers and almost all HealthPoint Community Health Centers (except Redmond) in King County offer vaccinations for children up to age 18. Your child doesn’t need to be a patient and you don’t need to have insurance to get vaccinated at these clinics.
- The Community Health Access Program (CHAP) is a free, confidential service that can help you enroll in health insurance or find a healthcare provider. Call 1-800-756-5437 or TTY Relay: 711, or email chap@kingcounty.gov. Ask for an interpreter if needed when you call.
- Find more information on where to get vaccinated in King County.
6. Where can adults get the measles vaccine?
- You may be able to get vaccinated at a pharmacy like Walgreens, Rite Aid, Bartell Drugs, or Safeway. You can also get vaccinated at an independent neighborhood pharmacy, like Othello Station Pharmacy or Katterman’s Pharmacy.
- Some healthcare providers have vaccine for uninsured and underinsured adults. Use the Washington State Department of Health’s Vaccine Provider Locations map to find a provider. Be sure to select “Adult” in the dropdown menu at the top of the map, next to “Provider Type.”
- Always call first to check on vaccine availability, pricing, hours, whether an appointment is needed, ages served, and any other questions you may have.
- Find more information on where to get vaccinated in King County.
Vaccine safety and monitoring:
1. Is the measles vaccine safe?
Research has shown that the measles vaccine (MMR) is safe. Getting vaccinated is much safer than getting measles, mumps, or rubella.
Learn more about MMR vaccine safety.
2. How are vaccines monitored for safety?
Vaccines are tested before they're licensed for use. Once a vaccine is in use, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration monitor the vaccine to make sure it’s safe and effective.
3. Are there side effects from the vaccine?
Like any medication, the measles vaccine (MMR) may cause side effects. Most are mild:
- Pain at the injection site
- Fever
- Mild rash
- Swollen glands in the cheek or neck
4. Can you get measles from someone who has recently been vaccinated?
No, the weakened virus in the MMR vaccine cannot be passed from person to person.
For pregnant people and new parents:
1. Should pregnant people get the measles vaccine (MMR)?
Some vaccines are safe and important in pregnancy, like the flu, COVID, and Tdap vaccines. But pregnant people should not get the MMR vaccine. Anyone who is pregnant and needs the vaccine should wait until after giving birth. People should avoid getting pregnant for four weeks after getting the MMR vaccine.
2. How soon can a new baby get vaccinated against measles?
Babies should get the first dose of MMR at 12-15 months of age. The second dose, usually given at 4-6 years, will fully protect your child.
3. My baby is under 12 months old, but I’m worried about measles. What do I do since she is too young for the MMR vaccine?
Make sure that everyone around your baby is vaccinated. This includes parents, caregivers, siblings, and friends. You may also want to consider delaying travel to areas where there are outbreaks