What adults should know about being protected

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Englewood residents talk about measles
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An electron microscope image of the measles virus.(Photo: CDC, Public Health Image Library)

If news of measles outbreaks has you wondering whether you’re adequately protected, check with your physician. In the meantime, here are some guidelines. 

If you were vaccinated as a child or had measles in the past, you’re protected

If you are a school-aged child or an adult who is in a setting with a high risk for measles transmission, including college students, health care workers or international travelers – you are considered protected from measles if you’ve had two doses of measles-containing vaccine at some point during your life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Younger children and adults in low-risk settings for measles transmission are considered protected from measles if you’ve had one doses of measles-containing vaccine at some point during your life, according to the CDC.

If a laboratory can confirm you’ve had measles at some point in your life or were born before 1957, you are also considered safe from measles.

…unless you were vaccinated from 1963-1967 

Some vaccines given between1963 and1967 were not effective. People who were vaccinated before 1968 with an inactivated (killed) measles vaccine or measles vaccine of unknown type should be revaccinated. 

I’m not sure if I was vaccinated. What can I do?

If you’re not sure you received all the vaccinations you need to protect against measles, the CDC recommends asking your parents/caregivers if they have any immunization records or look through baby books or other documents from childhood. Your doctor’s office will also keep vaccination records for a limited number of years. You can also check your high school and college, although they only tend to keep them for one to two years after a student leaves their system. Prior employers may also still have record of immunization.

I still can’t find my records. What now?

Although the CDC considers it “not ideal,” it is safe to repeat a vaccination. A doctor might also be able to do a blood test to see if you are immune to measles.

Can I still get measles if I’m vaccinated?

The CDC says “very few people” – about three out of 100 – will still get the measles after getting two doses of the vaccination. One dose of measles vaccine is about 93 percent effective at preventing measles, while two doses is about 97% effective.

If someone who is vaccinated does contract the disease, however, they are much more likely to have a milder illness. Fully vaccinated people will are also less likely to spread measles to others, such as those too young to receive a vaccination or those with weakened immune systems.

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