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Measles

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The disease can actively linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.  If someone breathes contaminated air or touches infected surfaces and then their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected. Measles poses a risk to anyone not vaccinated.

If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected by vaccine. 

Symptoms

Measles symptoms appear 5 to 21 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include:  

Fever
Cough
Rash
Red, watery eyes 
Runny Nose
Small white spots inside the mouth and throat

What to do if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with measles

If you have symptoms or were exposed to measles, contact your doctor immediately. There is no rapid test for measles—all testing is done through health care providers. If you don’t have a provider, call 512-972-5555.

If you get sick and need to see a doctor, call ahead to tell the doctor’s office that you may have measles so the office can schedule your appointment when other patients will not be exposed (for example, after hours). The doctor’s office may ask you to use a different entrance or stay in your car for your visit.

Complications

Measles can cause serious health complications and death, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

1 in 5 people who gets measles are hospitalized
1 out of 1,000 people with measles develops encephalitis
1 to 3 out of 1,000 people with measles dies

Who is at risk

Anyone who is not immune to measles is at risk.  You become immune against measles when you get two doses of the MMR vaccine or if you were diagnosed with having measles at some point in your life

Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. However, measles is still common in many parts of the world. Every year, measles is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers who get measles while they are in other countries. These travelers are mostly Americans and sometimes international visitors.  

Young children, pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised are more likely to experience complications. 

Where to get the measles vaccine

Who is eligible for vaccination?

Children: Routinely given in two doses: the first at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6 years.
Infants (6-11 months): Recommended for infants traveling internationally.
Adults: Adults born in 1957 or later should have at least one dose if they have not been vaccinated or have no laboratory evidence of immunity.

	With Private Insurance	Without Health Insurance
Children and Adults	Call your primary care doctor or you can visit most CVS, Walgreens or HEB pharmacies to get vaccinated.
Adults		Multiple CommunityCare and Lone Star Circle of Care locations offer Adult Safety Net (ASN) vaccines for low or no cost.
Children		For children with Medicaid or without health insurance: Vaccines for Children (VFC) participating providers such as CommunityCare, Carousel Pediatrics, Lone Star Circle of Care, Austin Regional Clinic and Austin Diagnostic Clinic carry MMR vaccine. A full list of VFC providers can be found here.

According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% protection against measles. For more details on vaccine recommendations, click here.

Get Vaccinated Today

The best way to protect yourself from measles is to get the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Get vaccinated as soon as possible, if you haven’t already.

Austin Public Health (APH) offers the MMR vaccine at our Shots for Tots/Big Shots clinics and at different locations. Check our schedule to find a vaccination clinic near you. CommUnityCare offers appointments that can be scheduled here. MMR is now available at HEB pharmacies with no copay for people 14 and older participating in:

Medical Access Program (MAP)
Medical Access Program Basic
Sliding Fee Scale Program

The MMR vaccine is also offered at doctors’ offices and other pharmacies. Children under the age of 14 will require a prescription from a health care provider to receive the vaccine at a pharmacy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still get measles if I am fully vaccinated?

It is rare but possible. About 3 out of 100 people who get both doses may still get measles if exposed. However, vaccinated individuals who do get measles tend to have milder symptoms and are less likely to spread the virus.

Do I need a booster shot?

No. If you received two doses of the measles vaccine as a child, you are protected for life and do not
need a booster.

I only received one dose of the measles vaccine as a child. Do I need another dose?

If you were born after 1957, one dose may be enough. However, certain adults should get a second
dose, including:
• College and university students.
• Health care workers.
• International travelers.

Can vitamin A prevent measles?

No, vitamin A cannot prevent measles. While WHO recommends vitamin A supplements to children diagnosed with measles, they do not recommend it be taken to prevent measles. If your child has measles a doctor may give them 2 doses of vitamin A, but this is only for 2 days, and it will not cure the infection. The vitamin A treatment may prevent the illness from becoming more severe.
If a child does not have measles, they should not take vitamin A. There is no dose of vitamin A that will protect them from getting measles. Vitamin A can be toxic and make you sick if too much is taken. Talk to a doctor before starting any supplements.

See additional FAQs.