Measles isn't just a "childhood rash" from the history books anymore. It’s back, and it’s popping up in places we didn't expect, like busy international airports and suburban elementary schools. If you've been seeing the news lately, you’re probably wondering: do I need another measles vaccine? It’s a fair question. Most of us haven't thought about the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) shot since we were five years old.
The short answer is usually "no," but the long answer is "maybe, and it depends on when you were born."
Immunology is messy. It isn't as simple as getting a shot and being "done" for 100 years in every single case. While the measles vaccine is incredibly effective—we’re talking 97% protection after two doses—there are weird little gaps in the system. Maybe you were born in 1965. Maybe you only got one dose. Or maybe you're heading to a country where outbreaks are currently raging. Honestly, the "one and done" mentality doesn't always apply to the modern world of global travel.
The 1960s Problem: Why Your Age Matters Most
If you were born before 1957, the medical community basically assumes you’re immune. Why? Because measles was so incredibly contagious back then that almost everyone caught it by the time they were fifteen. Natural infection provides lifelong immunity. You’ve got the antibodies. You’re good.
But things get weird if you were a "60s kid."
Between 1963 and 1967, some people received a "killed" version of the measles vaccine. It didn't work very well. If you were part of that specific cohort, your protection might be nonexistent. The CDC actually recommends that people who received the killed vaccine—or people who aren't sure which version they got during those years—should probably get revaccinated with the current live MMR vaccine.
Then there's the "one-dose" era. For a long time, doctors thought one shot was enough. It wasn't until 1989, following a series of outbreaks among vaccinated school children, that the two-dose schedule became the standard. If you grew up in the 70s or early 80s, you might only have one mark on your record. While one dose is about 93% effective, that 7% gap is where the virus finds its foothold.
How Do You Actually Know if You're Protected?
You could go digging through your parents' dusty attic for a yellowed immunization card. Good luck with that. Most of us lost those records decades ago during a cross-country move or a basement flood.
👉 See also: Why Your Best Kefir Fruit Smoothie Recipe Probably Needs More Fat
So, what do you do?
You ask for a titer test.
A titer test is a simple blood draw that checks for measles IgG antibodies. It’s the definitive way to see if your immune system still remembers how to fight the virus. If the test comes back "positive" or "immune," you can stop worrying. If it’s "equivocal" or "negative," your immunity has either waned or never fully developed.
The Cost-Benefit of Testing vs. Just Getting the Shot
Here is a bit of "insider" info: many doctors will tell you to skip the titer test and just get the MMR shot. Why? Because the MMR vaccine is extremely safe, even if you’re already immune. It’s often cheaper and faster to just get the jab than to pay for a lab test, wait for results, and then potentially go back for the shot anyway. There’s no known downside to getting an extra dose of the MMR vaccine as an adult, provided you aren't pregnant or severely immunocompromised.
High-Risk Situations: When "Maybe" Becomes "Yes"
Most adults living a quiet life in a highly vaccinated area are probably fine. But life isn't always quiet. Certain factors move you to the front of the line for a booster.
- International Travel: If you’re flying to Europe, parts of Asia, or Africa, you’re entering zones where measles is much more common than in the U.S. or Canada. The CDC suggests that any traveler who can't prove they had two doses should get caught up before heading to the airport.
- College Students: Dorms are basically petri dishes. Most universities require proof of two doses, but if you slipped through the cracks, get it done.
- Healthcare Workers: If you work in a hospital, you're on the front lines. You need documented immunity. No exceptions.
- The "Outbreak" Factor: If your local health department announces a cluster of cases in your city, that’s the time to double-check your status.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to man. It lingers in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. It’s not like COVID or the flu where you usually need somewhat close contact; if you breathe the same air an hour later, you can catch it.
Addressing the "Waning Immunity" Myth
There is a lot of talk online about whether the vaccine "wears off." For the vast majority of people, the answer is no. Once you have two doses of the MMR, you are generally considered protected for life.
✨ Don't miss: Exercises to Get Big Boobs: What Actually Works and the Anatomy Most People Ignore
However, science is always evolving. Some studies, like those published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, have looked at "secondary vaccine failure." This is a rare situation where someone has the antibodies, but they drop over several decades. Is it common? No. Is it enough to warrant a universal third dose? The CDC hasn't said so yet.
But this is why nuanced medical advice matters. If you are 50 years old and working as a nurse in an area with a measles outbreak, your risk profile is different than a 50-year-old accountant working from home.
What About the "Mumps" Part of the MMR?
We call it the "measles vaccine," but it’s actually a 3-in-1. When you ask, "do I need another measles vaccine," you’re also asking about mumps and rubella.
Interestingly, mumps immunity does seem to wane more than measles immunity. We’ve seen mumps outbreaks on college campuses among students who definitely had their two shots as kids. In these specific outbreak scenarios, public health officials often recommend a third dose of MMR specifically to bolster the mumps response. By getting that third dose for mumps, you’re also giving your measles immunity a little "refresher," which certainly doesn't hurt.
Pregnancy and the MMR: A Critical Warning
This is the one area where you have to be careful. The MMR is a live-attenuated vaccine. This means it contains a weakened version of the actual virus.
Pregnant women should not get the MMR vaccine.
If you’re planning on getting pregnant, it is a very smart move to have your titers checked first. Rubella (the "R" in MMR) is devastating to a developing fetus. If you find out you aren't immune, get the shot, and then wait at least a month before trying to conceive. If you’re already pregnant and realize you aren't immune, you’ll have to wait until after the baby is born to get your booster.
🔗 Read more: Products With Red 40: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Steps to Clear the Confusion
Stop guessing. Follow this workflow to figure out your status and protect yourself.
1. Check the 1957 Rule
If you were born before 1957, you are legally and medically presumed immune due to natural exposure. You don't need a vaccine unless a very specific workplace (like a high-risk lab) requires it.
2. Audit Your Records
Call your pediatrician’s office if they’re still in business. Check with your high school or college registrar; they often keep immunization records for decades. Look for "MMR" or "Measles, Mumps, Rubella."
3. Identify Your "Dose Count"
- Zero doses: You need two doses, four weeks apart.
- One dose: You should get a second dose to reach that 97% protection level, especially if you travel or work in healthcare.
- Two doses: You are fully vaccinated by modern standards.
4. The "1963-1967" Check
If you were vaccinated during these years and aren't sure if you got the "killed" or "live" vaccine, talk to your doctor about getting one modern dose of MMR. It’s the safest way to ensure you're actually covered.
5. Consult Your Physician About a Titer
If you can't find records and don't want to just "get the shot," ask for a Measles IgG Antibody test. It’s usually covered by insurance if you’ve been exposed or are in a high-risk group. If you're paying out of pocket, it’s typically between $50 and $100.
6. Get the Shot if Necessary
The MMR vaccine is available at almost every pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) and most local health departments. You don't always need a formal doctor's appointment; many pharmacists can prescribe and administer it on the spot.
7. Monitor Local Outbreaks
Keep an eye on your city’s health department website. If measles cases start appearing in your zip code, and you only had one shot as a kid, that is the "signal" to go get your second dose.
Protecting yourself isn't just about your own health. Measles is a "community" disease. When you're vaccinated, you're a dead end for the virus. You're protecting the baby in the grocery store who is too young for the shot, and the cancer patient whose immune system can't handle the vaccine. It's about building a wall that the virus can't jump over.