Hand scratching an upper arm of. Skin showing a measles rash.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to complications.

The measles virus spreads easily from person to person through the air when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes.

Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and is followed by a prominent red rash that starts on the head then spreads all over the body. Individuals with measles can develop serious complications including pneumonia and brain infection.

Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, there are several groups that are more likely to suffer from measles complications:

  • Infants
  • Pregnant women
  • People with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection

The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR is a routine childhood vaccine. Young children usually receive their first MMR dose at 12-15 months and the second dose around kindergarten. Adults who are college students, health care workers, or are traveling internationally to a country with active measles, should make sure they have received two doses of MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are very effective at preventing the disease. Coloradans can check their/their child’s vaccine status through an online database. If you aren’t sure if you are vaccinated, you can also call your doctor or El Paso County Public Health with questions (719-578-3199, option 5).

Do I need an MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine?

With measles cases popping up across the nation, you probably want to know that you and your family are safe from this disease.

You are considered immune from measles if:

  • you were born before 1957
  • you have laboratory evidence measles immunity
  • you have received one or two doses of a measles vaccine. This includes the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine or MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine

MMR vaccines are recommended for:

  • children at 12-15 months and prior to kindergarten entry
  • Adults who were born after 1957, who have not been vaccinated previously, or cannot locate vaccine records
  • Adults who received measles vaccines between 1963-1967 (doses received may not have been effective)
  • Most adults who have received a single dose of a measles vaccine are considered protected. However, adults in higher risk groups (healthcare personnel, those traveling internationally) should receive two doses

(NOTE: The first dose of MMR vaccine is 93 percent effective. The second dose is 97 percent effective.)

How do I know if I have been vaccinated?

To access your vaccine records you can contact your primary care doctor, your school, or if you were vaccinated in Colorado your vaccine records may be available in the CIIS Public Portal. If you were vaccinated in another state, CDC has information on how to access immunization records.

If you can’t find your records or haven’t been vaccinated, you are encouraged to get two doses of MMR vaccine, spaced four weeks apart. Those who only received a single shot of vaccine should get a booster shot.

Do you have more questions about measles?

Learn more about measles, vaccination, treatment and exposure by reading this FAQ from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC: Questions About Measles

Additional Resources