Infectious disease in an era of global change
Your Questions On Measles, Symptoms And The MMR Vaccine, Answered By Experts
Measles is still making headlines in 2025, prompting questions about the life-threatening disease and how to prevent it.
Here's what to know.
Measles outbreakThe largest measles outbreak so far this year has been in West Texas. Health officials have reported at least 223 cases including 29 hospitalizations since late January, as of a March 11 update. State and local health officials say the Texas outbreak is primarily affecting children and teenagers, nearly all of whom were unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.
In late February, a child died of measles after being hospitalized in that outbreak. State and local health officials said the patient who died was an unvaccinated school-aged child, but did not release their name or other details.
Measles cases have also been reported in a number of other states, including across the state line New Mexico, and in New Jersey, Georgia, California, Rhode Island, Kentucky and Alaska.
An unvaccinated adult in New Mexico tested positive for measles after their death, health officials announced the first week of March, but said the official cause of death is still under investigation.
Without vaccination, measles can be dangerous or even deadly. While most people's symptoms improve, 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who catch measles will be hospitalized, 1 out of every 1,000 will develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, and up to 3 of every 1,000 will die.
The measles virus is airborne and extremely contagious. Before the first measles vaccine became available in the 1960s, almost everyone would catch it at some point during childhood, and between 400 and 500 Americans — mostly children — died every year from measles.
Symptoms typically begin about seven to 14 days after a person is exposed to the measles virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the initial symptoms may appear similar to those of many other common viral illnesses, including:
Another characteristic sign is a rash that begins to develop a few days later. A patient's fever may spike to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the CDC says.
In some cases, serious complications can develop, including pneumonia or encephalitis, a swelling of the brain. Encephalitis may lead to convulsions and can cause deafness or leave a child with a lifelong intellectual disability, health officials warn.
As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles will develop pneumonia, which the CDC says is the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
"The predominant issues that we talk about, and that have led patients to be admitted to the hospital, are those respiratory issues, and so that is a frequent cause of death," Dr. Lara Johnson, the chief medical officer at Covenant Children's Hospital in Lubbock, Texas, said at a news conference on Feb. 26. At the time, she said, the hospital had seen about 20 patients admitted with confirmed measles cases, including several who needed intensive care.
"There are also neurological issues that can happen acutely — encephalitis, swelling of the brain, blindness, other issues along that line that can also be a part of acute measles," Johnson said.
She added, "There are lots of childhood rashes and fevers, and as parents, we all know that our kids get these here and there. This is not that. This is a much more serious illness that has much greater risk of serious complications."
Measles rashSeveral days after the first symptoms begin, characteristic tiny white spots develop inside the mouth, and a facial rash spreads to the rest of the body.
On "CBS Mornings," Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, described the rash as a "flat, blotchy red rash."
Measles immune amnesiaMeasles can also impact someone's immunity long after the infection is gone in a process called "immune amnesia," which can last months to a couple of years.
The virus can damage the immune system, Gounder recently explained, raising the risk of other infections even after the person has recovered.
"Measles infects immune cells, and when it does so, it damages immune cells and it partially wipes out your immune system's memory to certain infections, so that leaves you more susceptible to getting some of those infections," she said. "The best thing is not to get measles in the first place, and the best way to do that is to get vaccinated."
Why is there a measles outbreak?With safe, effective vaccines available, experts are pointing to lower vaccination rates as a reason why we're seeing these increasing cases. Health officials confirmed that nearly all of the patients in the Texas outbreak were not vaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
"It is troubling, because this was completely preventable," Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins, recently told CBS News. "What we're seeing is, one of the places in Texas — it has the lowest vaccination rates, the highest school exemption rates from measles vaccination — having a measles outbreak, including hospitalizations of individuals who've been infected with measles."
While measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, doctors and public health officials say the vaccine is safe and highly effective. It is normally given in two doses as part of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which has been used for decades.
But nationwide, at least 10 states have seen childhood vaccination rates decline, jeopardizing communities' herd immunity from widespread outbreaks.
Like Texas, some Florida schools — such as an elementary school in Broward County last year — have seen measles outbreaks. The vaccination rate for Florida kindergartners has fallen to 88.1%, according to the CDC, the lowest in decades.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history as a vaccine skeptic, voiced support for the measles vaccine in early March.
Kennedy said he was "deeply concerned about the recent measles outbreak" in an opinion piece published by Fox News.
"Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons," he wrote.
RFK Jr., measles and Vitamin AKennedy has also shared some misleading information about the potential role of vitamins in measles treatment and prevention.
In some studies, Vitamin A has been shown to reduce the severity of measles and the risk of death from the virus — but these studies were among highly malnourished populations in low-income countries. Research shows Vitamin A supplements are not a substitute for measles vaccination, even among severely malnourished groups.
"Vitamin A reduces the risk of some complications among severely malnourished kids who have Vitamin A deficiency. It does not prevent measles or the damage the infection does to the immune system," Gounder said. "Vitamin A is not a substitute for measles vaccination."
In the U.S., Vitamin A deficiency is rare, affecting less than 1% of the population. Too much Vitamin A can also lead to the risk of liver toxicity.
When do you get the measles vaccine?The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children get vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine, with their first dose between the ages of 12 to 15 months.
"That's after the antibodies you get from your mom, through the placenta and through breast milk, have faded away, so that the vaccine will actually work — so there's a logic to when we vaccinate," Gounder explained.
Then the second dose is recommended at about 4 to 6 years of age.
One dose is 93% effective against measles and the recommended two doses is 97% effective, research shows. The vaccine also protects against mumps and rubella, also known as German measles, which are caused by different viruses.
Studies have also shown that the MMR vaccine, which was first introduced in 1971, may be given safely and effectively in combination with other vaccines.
But according to recent KFF polling, about 17% of parents say they have skipped or delayed a vaccine dose for their children.
"This is up from about 10% just two years ago. So we're really seeing a lot of exemptions [and] concerns about vaccination that are not warranted," Gounder said.
How long does the measles vaccine last?For most people, the MMR vaccine will protect you for life, Gounder said.
"If somebody is fully vaccinated against measles and has a normal immune system, they don't need to worry about measles," said Adalja. "You're not going to be at risk for contracting measles because the vaccine is very, very effective."
Who should get a measles booster?While most people have protection that lasts for life after getting vaccinated in early childhood, people born after 1957 but vaccinated before 1968 should consider a booster shot, Gounder said.
"That group is unlikely to have robust immunity from infection, because at that point in time, they were using less effective vaccines," she said.
There are also other people who could potentially benefit from getting a booster, she added, including those working in health care, overseas or in places where there is an active measles outbreak.
If you're unsure if or when you were vaccinated against the measles, start by tracking down your vaccination records if possible, Gounder advised. But, if you can't find those records, there is "no harm in getting an extra dose," she said, adding that no blood test confirmation is needed.
"That's actually what we would advise to do, as opposed to getting a blood test to see if there are antibodies — just get a booster if you're in doubt," she said.
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Sara MoniuszkoCan You Get The Measles If You're Vaccinated? MMR Vaccine Details
Image Credit: Getty ImagesThe measles were eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning that there was no viral spread within the country at the time. However, a recent outbreak in Texas has raised concern among Americans, especially now that multiple cases have been confirmed in states such as New York, California, and New Jersey. Though countless Americans have been vaccinated with the vaccine known as the "MMR" shot, can you still contract the measles if you've been vaccinated?
Below, we have a breakdown of the recent measles outbreak and how to prevent an infection, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control & Prevention.
What Is the Measles?According to the CDC, the Measles (a.K.A rubeola) is a "very contagious" illness. If one person has it, up to 9 or 10 people nearby can contract it if they're not protected. The CDC further notes that the infection spreads rapidly through the air when the infected person coughs or sneezes. This can cause anyone in the same room to get infected even up to two hours after the infected individual left.
The measles causes a variety of symptoms, primarily a red rash on the body. Patients also experience a high fever up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose and red and/or watery eyes.
Although there has been a rise in measles cases in early 2025, it's not the first time the U.S. Has seen an uptick in infections. In 2019, there were more than 1200 cases reported, per the CDC.
What Is the MMR Vaccine?The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is administered in two doses. According to the CDC, the vaccine is 97 percent effective in preventing measles, while receiving just one dose makes prevention 93 percent effective.
Can You Get the Measles if You Got the Vaccine?Yes, anyone can still contract the measles even if they've been vaccinated, but infection is rare, according to the CDC. Around 3 out of 100 vaccinated people can get the virus when exposed. Their symptoms are often milder in comparison to those who did not receive the two-dose vaccine.
Is There a Cure for the Measles?No, there is no cure or specific treatment for the measles once a person contracts it. Those who are at risk of a serious infection may be hospitalized upon becoming sick with the illness.
5 Key Questions About Measles Answered Amid Outbreak
Before there was a vaccine in 1963, measles infected millions and killed hundreds of people in the U.S. Every year. Now, with the first measles death occurring in over a decade, doctors warn that declining vaccination rates are bringing the disease back, putting more people especially children at risk.
Here are five things to know about measles.
What is measles?Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious illness. 9 in 10 people who are exposed to the measles virus will become infected if they don't have immunity through previous infection or vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms often begin one to two weeks after exposure. Early symptoms can look like other common respiratory illnesses starting with a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and white spots in the mouth.
Dr. Ari Brown, a pediatrician in Austin, Texas, who treated measles decades ago, warns measles "doesn't look like measles initially, and so that's what's so scary ... This could look like flu."
A distinct red rash typically appears three to five days later, usually starting on the face and spreading down the body.
What is the earliest my child can get vaccinated?The CDC recommends all children receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, with the first dose given between 12-15 months and the second dose when they reach 4-6 years old.
In some circumstances, children as young as 6 months old may receive the vaccine, and a second dose can be given as soon as 28 days after the first, according to the CDC.
Dr. Lara Johnson, a pediatrician and the chief medical officer at Covenant Children and Covenant Health in Lubbock, Texas, said people worried about their vaccination status should talk to their doctor.
"One of the messages that really important in the context of this outbreak is, if you're behind on your vaccinations, now is a great time to get caught up," Johnson told ABC News.
Can you get measles if you are fully vaccinated?One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles and two doses are 97% effective, according to the CDC.
That means that 3 out of 100 vaccinated people may get sick if exposed to the virus, but these infections are usually less severe than in unvaccinated people who get sick, according to the CDC.
Most people who were vaccinated as children won't need any additional measles vaccines. But adults who only had one measles vaccination or people who were vaccinated in the 1960s may be candidates for an additional vaccination.
Anyone unsure of their vaccination status should have a discussion with their doctor. There's no harm in getting an additional dose of the MMR vaccine. According to the CDC, people born before 1957 are immune to the virus because almost everyone at the time was infected with measles, mumps and rubella during their childhood.
Anyone living in a high-risk area should speak to their doctor about whether they need a booster, according to the CDC.
What can pregnant women do to stay safe?Measles in pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and preterm birth, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. However, women should not receive the MMR vaccine while they are pregnant because it is a live vaccine.
If a pregnant person is exposed to measles, they should talk to their doctor as soon as possible within six days to know if they should receive a post-exposure prophylaxis with measles immunoglobulin (an injection of antibodies that can help reduce the severity of illness for high-risk people), according to the CDC.
Can measles kill you?Measles can cause complications like pneumonia, brain swelling, long-term hearing loss and death as is the case in the current Texas outbreak.
In the decade before the measles vaccine, the CDC estimates 3 to 4 million people were infected and 400 to 400 people died from the virus every year in the United States.
Other long-term complications include subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal complication that can develop seven to ten years after recovery. SSPE causes a gradual loss of mental abilities, which progresses to a vegetative state and eventually leads to death, according to the National Institutes of Health.
There is no specific treatment for measles, so doctors say the best way to prevent complications of measles is to get vaccinated.
"The vaccine is so effective," Dr. Summer Davies, a pediatrician currently treating hospitalized patients at Texas Tech University Health Science Center and Covenant Children's, told ABC News.
Davies said the best way to protect yourself, your children and your community is to get the vaccine, even "if you're not worried yourself about getting it."
This is not just like any other virus, Davies said.
"Some people think, Oh, this is just a virus like the flu. I'll get it, maybe get a fever and rash and get over it," Davies said. "But it can be really severe, as we have seen here."
Johnson said that measles is not just an issue from the past, but something that could progress in the future without proper vaccinations.
"[Measles] seems like something from the past," Johnson said. "But if we don't continue to vaccinate and do things that we did in order to make these illnesses of the past, then they'll be illnesses of the present."
-Dr. Amanda Hargett-Granato and Jade A Cobern contributed to this report. Hargett-Granato is a pediatric resident at the Mayo Clinic and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. Cobern, MD, MPH, board-certified in pediatrics and general preventive medicine, is a medical fellow of the ABC News Medical Unit.
Correction: A previous version of this article stated one in nine people exposed to the measles virus will become infected if they don't have immunity. This has since been corrected.
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