Immunization

Measles

The Disease

Not everyone recognizes measles as the serious disease it really is, possibly because it used to be a routine part of everyone's childhood, and also because we don't see it nearly as much as we used to. But measles can be deadly. The 10th Century Persian physician Rhazes considered measles "more to be dreaded than smallpox." Measles still kills about a million people a year around the world. Measles can also make a pregnant woman have a miscarriage or give birth prematurely.

 

The Immunization

Measles vaccine was licensed in 1963. As children started getting the vaccine, measles quickly began to disappear. Today we see only about a hundred cases a year.

 

Vaccine Recommendations

• AAP: Red Book Online Guidelines for Administration of Measles–Mumps–Rubella Vaccine

• CDC: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella -- Vaccine Use and Strategies for Elimination of Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome and Control of Mumps (Exit Site)

 

Quick Facts - What You Need to Know (PDF 23KB)

• Why get vaccinated?

• Who should get MMR vaccine and when?

• Some people should not get MMR vaccine or should wait

• What are the risks from MMR vaccine?

• What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?

 

Other Resources

• MMR Vaccine Information Statement (Exit Site)

• CDC Measles page (Exit Site)

• Immunization Action Coalition Measles page (Exit Site)

• National Network for Immunization Information Measles page (Exit Site)

 

Outbreaks

• CDC Measles Outbreaks page (Exit Site)