You’ve probably seen measles popping up in your news feed lately — hopefully that’s the only place you’re seeing it — because cases have been on the rise.
More than 1,300 measles cases have been reported so far this year — the most recorded since the disease was officially eliminated from the United States 25 years ago. (Eliminated meaning there was no continuous spread of disease within the country for a year and any new cases were coming from people who got it abroad.)
Thanks to America’s strong vaccination program, most of us got the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine as a kid and haven’t thought about measles in years. Or ever. But measles is a serious disease.
Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, millions of people — mostly children — became infected with measles every year. And some complications can be severe.
So, what’s going on with the rise in measles cases?
Although measles is preventable if you get the vaccine, research shows that vaccination rates for children fell from 95% in 2019 to 92% in 2023. Declining rates mean more people are vulnerable to the virus. And because measles spreads so quickly, it’s hard to contain in unvaccinated communities.
Also, measles cases do happen in the U.S. every year when unvaccinated travelers bring the virus into the country. Given the unpredictability of where and when the virus might start and spread, vaccination is really the only way to protect your health and the health of others.
What is measles?
Measles is a disease caused by a virus that invades the mucus in the nose and throat. It spreads through the air when someone with measles coughs or sneezes.
The virus can live for up to two hours in a room where an infected person has been — they don’t even have to be in the room anymore. (We know — yikes!) And if you get infected, up to 9 out of 10 people around you will get the measles too if they haven’t been vaccinated for the disease.
Measles symptoms
Symptoms of infection usually don’t start for seven to 14 days after exposure to the virus, which can make early diagnosis and stopping the spread of measles a challenge.
Signs of measles develop in phases.
During the first round of symptoms, people may experience:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Watery and/or red eyes
- High fever (can be up to 105℉)
Two to three days after the initial symptoms start, small white spots called Koplik spots may appear inside your mouth.
The most common symptom, the measles rash, will appear three to five days after the first round of symptoms start.
What do measles look like?
iStock.com/Singjai20
A measles rash usually starts out as flat red spots on the forehead near the hairline. Small bumps may also form on top of the red spots, and the rash may spread in large connected swaths down the body and feet.
Measles rash may also be different shades of red, brown or purple depending on your skin tone.
Is measles deadly?
Measles can be deadly. The disease can cause life-threatening complications, including swelling of the brain and pneumonia.
Three people have died from measles in the U.S. so far in 2025. And research shows 1 to 3 people out of 1,000 diagnosed with the disease will die from measles.
People who get measles can also develop subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) — a fatal disease that affects the central nervous system, which is like command central for your body and is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
Anyone who’s not vaccinated is at risk, and children under age 5, pregnant women, adults over the age of 20 and people with compromised immune systems are more likely to have serious complications from measles.
Can adults get the measles vaccine?
If you didn’t get the vaccine as a kid, you can still get the recommended two-dose MMR vaccine. Just keep the doses at least 28 days apart.
And if you don’t know if you got the vaccine when you were younger, request your medical records. If you’re still not sure, an extra dose of the vaccine won’t hurt — better safe than measles, we say.
You can also request a blood test from your healthcare provider (HCP) to find out if you’re immune to measles.
Should adults get a measles booster shot?
The MMR vaccine is long lasting, and should protect you throughout your life. However, some people may want to consider getting vaccinated again.
People born before 1989 were only given one dose of the vaccine. That means you’re rockin’ about 93% protection. Getting the second dose — two doses are the recommendation today — boosts protection to 97%.
Also, people who were vaccinated before 1968 with an unknown type of measles vaccine or inactivated measles vaccine should get vaccinated with at least one dose. This is because the vaccine that was used prior to 1968 wasn’t effective.
Also good to note:
- If you’re at increased risk for mumps, an additional dose of the MMR vaccine may be needed, but a public health person will reach out and let you know if that’s the case.
- You can still get the vaccine if you’ve been exposed to measles in the past.
Who shouldn’t get the measles vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, but there are some people who shouldn't get the vaccine — or should wait to get it.
Talk to your HCP if you:
- Had an allergic reaction to a past dose of the vaccine or have life-threatening allergies
- Have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or medical treatment
- Have a family history of immune problems
- Have or have a history of a health condition where you bruise or bleed easily
- Have had a blood transfusion
- Have tuberculosis
- Have gotten any other vaccines in the past four weeks
- Have a history of seizures or an immediately family history of seizures
- Are taking aspirin or other salicylates
- Are pregnant
Note for people planning to get pregnant: You should get the vaccine at least one month before getting pregnant, and/or wait until you’re no longer pregnant to get the vaccine.
Stay up to date on outbreaks
The CDC updates its website with the latest on measles cases and outbreaks every Wednesday. If you haven’t been vaccinated — it’s not too late. Talk to your healthcare provider about your options to keep measles at bay.
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