Do You Need a Measles Booster? What Experts Recommend

Measles outbreaks are popping up across the country, and with a rise in infections, you may be wondering if your protection is holding up—or if you need a measles booster.

The rates of measles—a highly contagious disease—have been on the rise following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the U.S. saw the most measles infections since 2019, with a total of 285 cases—and 2025 has already seen its share of infections, with reports of measles cases in Texas, New Mexico, Alaska, Georgia, New York, and Rhode Island.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, and experts stressed the importance of being up-to-date on your vaccines.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing measles outbreaks in the U.S. now,” Tina Tan, MD, a professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and a Pediatric Infectious Diseases attending at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, told Health. “Primarily because people who are unvaccinated are going abroad—where there’s a lot of measles outbreaks occurring—they’re getting infected, they’re bringing it back, and they’re infecting other people in the community.”

While most people vaccinated for measles will have lifelong protection, there are some instances when another shot is recommended. Here’s what you need to know.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus with common symptoms of fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash all over the body. Measles infections can have serious complications, including blindness, pneumonia, or encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

In some cases, these complications can be fatal. Before the introduction of a vaccine in 1963, measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths worldwide each year.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, as well as mumps and rubella. The CDC recommends that children get two doses of the MMR vaccine: the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at 4 to 6 years old.

“If you need to accelerate giving the doses because they’re in the midst of an outbreak, you can give a second dose of the measles vaccine as long as it’s been 28 to 30 days after the first one,” Tan said.

It’s also safe for adults to receive the MMR vaccine, and the CDC recommends at least one dose for unvaccinated adults or people without immunity. For people born before 1957, the CDC does not recommend a vaccine, as they were likely infected in childhood and have presumed protection against measles.

You can check your immunity for measles with a titer test—which measures antibodies in the blood—but in general, experts said it’s not recommended.

According to the CDC, one dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, and two doses are 97% effective. Once you’re fully vaccinated, you’re likely protected against measles for life.

Shira Doron, MD, chief infection control officer for Tufts Medicine and hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, told Health that a record of two MMR vaccines is actually a better indicator of immunity than a measles titer. “Sometimes the tests don’t reflect your level of immunity even when it’s there,” she said.

If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, you can get a measles titer, but Tan said you’ll need to consult your healthcare provider first.

The only situation when someone may really need a measles titer, Tan explained, is if they’re applying for a job in a healthcare facility where they might be exposed to the virus.

If you received two doses of the MMR vaccine according to the recommended schedule, experts said you do not need a booster shot. However, there are some cases where people may need to be revaccinated.

Per the CDC, people who were vaccinated before 1968 should get another shot because they may have received a “killed” measles vaccine used at the time, which is not effective.

Also, if you are uncertain of when and if you were vaccinated, or if you can’t access your vaccination records, it may be a good idea to get another shot, Doron said. The MMR vaccine is safe, and there is no harm in getting another shot if you already have immunity, according to the CDC.

“If you are living in an area with an outbreak, it’s a good time to ask yourself, ‘Did my parents keep me up to date on my vaccines?’” Doron said.

There is a chance you can catch measles even if you’re fully vaccinated, but it’s very small. According to the CDC, about 3% of people who get two doses of the MMR vaccine will get measles if they’re exposed to the virus. Although, they are more likely to have a milder illness, and they are also less likely to spread the disease to others.

“In an outbreak situation, where it is spreading like wildfire…you will see people who are fully vaccinated getting measles, because 97% is not 100%,” Doron said, “which is why it’s so important to have a very, very high rate of immunization for this particular virus.”