Measles and your baby: What to know to keep your baby safe

Multiple measles outbreaks have been reported throughout the U.S. in 2025.

The best way to protect your family from measles is to ensure that all children and adults in your household are up to date on their vaccinations, including the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Of all people, infants are at the highest risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death from measles. Unless there’s an outbreak in their communities, babies can’t receive their first MMR vaccine until 12-15 months. So they rely on others around them to be vaccinated.

Learn more about how to protect your baby from measles

Is the measles vaccine safe?

Yes! While minor side effects like fever, tenderness at the injection site, and rash may occur, the measles vaccine is safe. It is also much safer than contracting measles, which can lead to serious illness and even death.

There’s a lot of conflicting information about vaccines. Always verify information by going to credible sources like:

• Your child’s pediatrician
• Healthychildren.org
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

Health experts have also discredited the connection between vaccines and autism.

From the Healthy Children website:

“Any connection between the measles vaccine and autism has been wholly discredited. Extensive evidence from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Academy of Medicine and researchers around the world have also concluded there is no causal association between the MMR vaccine and autism.”

How soon can a baby get the measles vaccine?

The recommended age for the first dose of the MMR vaccine is 12 to 15 months. One dose of the vaccine is 93% effective against measles. Children should receive the second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles.

Your child’s school may have vaccination requirements.

Can babies receive the MMR vaccine before they turn 1?

If you live in a community experiencing an outbreak or if your family travels internationally, your baby may be vaccinated as early as 6 months old. Babies who get the first dose before their first birthday must get two more doses later. If there is no measles risk in your community, your baby’s risk is low. In this case, you won’t need to get your baby vaccinated early.

Talk to your baby’s pediatrician about whether your baby should be vaccinated before they’re 12 months old.

If the vaccine works and many people have been vaccinated, why is measles spreading?

The measles vaccine is highly effective — about 95 to 99 of 100 people who have been vaccinated are protected. Unfortunately, the vaccination rate in some U.S. communities has fallen below the required rate for the vaccine to provide “herd immunity” or “community immunity.”

Germs can travel quickly through a community and make many people sick. If enough people get sick, it can lead to an outbreak. But when enough people are vaccinated against a particular disease, the germs can’t travel as easily from person to person — and the entire community is less likely to get the disease.

That means even people who can’t get vaccinated will have some protection from getting sick. And if a person does get sick, there’s less chance of an outbreak because it’s harder for the disease to spread. Eventually, the disease becomes rare — sometimes, it’s wiped out altogether.

U.S. measles immunization rates are now below the 95% coverage needed to provide herd immunity. In some communities, the rate is much lower, creating an environment where measles can take hold and spread quickly.

Measles is also very contagious. It can live on surfaces and in the air for up to two hours after an infected person is present. A person may also be infectious without having symptoms of measles for the first several days, meaning they’re spreading it unknowingly.

Other than vaccination, how can I protect my baby from measles?

There are several ways you can help protect your baby from measles and other serious illnesses currently circulating, such as the flu and COVID-19.

• Anyone near your baby should wash their hands frequently, following handwashing best practices.
• Breastfeed your baby if possible. Your immunity can help protect your baby while breastfeeding.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, tables and counters. Standard household disinfectants will readily kill the measles virus.
• Limit your baby’s exposure to crowds.
• Do your best to limit your baby’s close contact with sick people.

Do other people who spend time with my baby need a measles vaccine?

Yes. The best preventive protection is ensuring people spending time with your baby are vaccinated. Anyone born before 1957 is generally considered immune to measles, so no additional vaccination is necessary. If you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine, you are protected for life.

If someone is unsure whether they’ve been vaccinated for measles, there is no harm in getting another dose of the measles vaccine.

If I don’t know if I’ve been vaccinated for measles, can I get vaccinated now?

If you’re unsure if you’ve been vaccinated, your healthcare provider can conduct a titer blood test to check for measles antibodies to confirm immunity. There is also no harm in getting another dose of the MMR vaccine.

Learn more about determining whether you’re protected against measles.

Why is measles so serious?

Some people with measles may experience complications, such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain, seizures and — in extreme cases — death.

• 1 in 20 children with measles get pneumonia
• 1 in 5 children with measles are sick enough to need hospitalization
• Approximately 1 to 3 in 1,000 children who get measles die from their infection

I’m going to be traveling with my baby. What can I do about exposure to measles?

Babies younger than 6 months of age are too young to get the measles vaccine but may have some protection from antibodies passed to them during pregnancy.

The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends delaying travel to locations with measles outbreaks to avoid the risk of severe illness.

The AAP also recommends:

• Babies 6 to 11 months should receive their first MMR vaccine dose at least two weeks before travel. If they received a dose before age 12 months, they will also need the two-dose series.
• Babies 12 months and older should receive their first MMR vaccine dose and other recommended vaccines at least two weeks before traveling. (Infants 12 months and older should receive a second dose of the MMR vaccine 28 days after the first dose.)
• Before traveling, check for health advisories for your travel destination. Other vaccines may also be recommended depending on your travel location and activities planned.

Can I give my baby vitamin A to prevent measles?

You should never try to prevent or treat measles at home with vitamin A or other substances. Excessive vitamin A intake can cause serious health problems.

Are there treatments for measles?

There is no cure for measles. No antibiotics or antiviral medications can treat measles. This is why getting babies vaccinated for measles is imperative as soon as they’re old enough.

I’m pregnant: Should I get the measles vaccine?

You can’t receive the MMR vaccine until after delivery. Most people of child-bearing age have been vaccinated against the measles and are protected.

Talk to your healthcare provider about the MMR vaccine and get your family vaccinated to ensure their protection.

Sentara is here for you and your family

We understand you might have concerns about measles and your family. Sentara family practice providers and Sentara pediatricians are available to answer your questions about measles and protect you with vaccinations.

 

 

Information is provided with insight from the American Academy of Pediatrics.