With measles changing into a rising risk nationwide, federal health officials continue to encourage parents to vaccinate their youngsters to keep away from changing into contaminated by the extremely contagious virus.
As of Tuesday, greater than 160 individuals had contracted measles in not less than eight states, in response to online Centers for Disease Control stats.
Texas announced the first measles death within the U.S. in a decade final month amid an ongoing outbreak. Different states with confirmed instances are: Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.
The infectious illness attributable to the measles virus is transmitted via the air when an contaminated particular person coughs, sneezes or breathes. It’s so contagious, well being specialists say, 90% of unvaccinated individuals uncovered to it wind up contracting measles.
However are you able to get measles when you’ve been vaccinated? Do you want a booster? Here is what to know.
An infographic on the measles virus is displayed throughout a press convention on the Austin Public Well being workplace on the Bergstrom Expertise Heart in Austin, Feb. 28, 2025.
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Are you able to get measles if in case you have been vaccinated?
Sure, you’ll be able to contract the virus if in case you have been vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) in response to the CDC.
But it surely’s uncommon. Roughly three out of 100 individuals who’ve gotten the two-dose vaccination might contract the virus when uncovered, the CDC says. Their signs are milder than those that contract it with out being vaccinated – and they’re much less more likely to unfold measles.
Per CDC knowledge, one dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% efficient towards measles, 78% efficient towards mumps, and 97% efficient towards rubella.
Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% efficient towards measles and 88% efficient towards mumps.
Do you want a measles booster?
Most vaccinated adults are resistant to measles and don’t want a booster shot, in response to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Seniors born earlier than 1957 possible contracted the virus, in response to the non-profit organization established in 1973, and “developed life-long immunity.”
An Austin Public Well being truck is adorned with an commercial encouraging vaccinations whereas parked exterior the Austin Public Well being workplace on the Bergstrom Expertise Heart in Austin, Feb. 28, 2025.
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What’s measles and the way do you get it?
Measles is a extremely contagious, vaccine-preventable illness attributable to a virus that primarily, and most severely, impacts youngsters. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO), it infects the respiratory tract earlier than spreading all through the physique.
In accordance with CDC knowledge, one in five unvaccinated people people who contract the virus find yourself hospitalized.
Measles is unfold via contact with contaminated nasal or throat secretions, or by respiration within the virus after it is coughed, sneezed or despatched into the air by an contaminated particular person, in response to WHO. The measles virus can stay contagious within the air or on contaminated surfaces for as much as two hours.
What are signs of measles?
Measles signs often seem seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and sometimes embody excessive fever, cough, runny nostril and watery eyes, according to the CDC. Measles rash seems three to 5 days after the onset of the primary signs.
Different indicators and signs of the virus embody:
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Koplik spots, tiny white spots which will seem contained in the mouth two to 3 days after signs start
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Excessive fever. When the rash seems, an individual’s fever might spike to greater than 104 levels Fahrenheit
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Lack of urge for food, diarrhea
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Reddish-brown rash that may unfold throughout the whole physique
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Small raised bumps may additionally seem on prime of the flat crimson spots (the spots might grow to be joined collectively as they unfold from the top to the remainder of the physique)
Contributing: Julia Gomez
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Attain her at nalund@usatoday.com and comply with her on X @nataliealund.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Can you get measles if you are vaccinated? Do you need a booster?
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