Measles

In this section:

Planning to travel outside the U.S.? Talk to your doctor to make sure you and your family are protected against measles.

Key Facts about Measles

Measles spreads very easily. It travels through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in a room for up to two hours after they leave.
Measles can be serious. It can cause pneumonia, brain swelling, and hospitalization. This is especially true for young children.
Vaccination is the protection. The MMR vaccine prevents measles and its complications. Getting measles is much riskier than getting the vaccine.
Some people depend on community protection. Babies under 12 months and people with weakened immune systems may not be fully protected and rely on others to reduce spread.
Measles cases are rising in the U.S. and nearby regions. While most people in Vermont are protected, measles can spread quickly in communities where vaccination rates are lower, and cases are often linked to international travel.

Measles in Vermont

Vermont reported one case in 2026; two cases in 2025; two cases in 2024; and two cases in the decade prior (2011 and 2018).

Most children in Vermont public and independent schools (94%) are fully vaccinated against measles before entering kindergarten (2024-2025 school immunization survey data). This data doesn't include children who are homeschooled or not yet enrolled in school. It takes 95% to reach community immunity.

The Best Protection: MMR Vaccine

The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR is one of the most protective vaccines we have.

Two doses are about 97% effective
One dose is about 93% effective

Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine. In Vermont, MMR vaccination is required before children enter child care (depending on age) or start kindergarten.

The first dose is given at 12 to 15 months of age
The second dose is given at 4 through 6 years of age.
Infants 6 to 11 months old who are traveling internationally should get an early dose of the MMR vaccine at least two weeks before travel.

Find out if you're protected against measles

How it Spreads

Measles is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. An infected person will spread measles to about 90% of the people, who are not immune, that they come into contact with.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start 7-14 days after contact with the virus. Common symptoms include:

High fever
Cough
Runny nose
Red and watery eyes
A rash (warning: contains graphic medical images) usually appears three to five days after the first symptoms.

Complications

Some people may suffer from severe complications, like pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who get measles without being vaccinated are hospitalized.

Measles can also cause long-term complications that develop years after infection.

Treatment

There is no treatment for measles. People with measles need bed rest, fluids, and medication to control their fevers. They may also need medical care for complications or serious illness.

How to Get Vaccinated

Measles vaccines are free in Vermont. Call your health care provider to get vaccinated. If you do not have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 to be connected to care, or contact the nearest federally qualified health center or one of Vermont's Free & Referral Clinics.

For most people, their health insurance will cover the cost of getting vaccinated.
For people who do not have health insurance, or who have insurance that does not cover the cost of vaccines (less common), the Vermont Immunization Program can cover the cost of the vaccine directly to the provider.
- Health care providers can charge a small fee to give the vaccine.
- Talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated to find out how much it may cost. Some practices offer a sliding scale.
If you do not have health insurance and are under the age of 65, you can also make an appointment at your Local Health Office to get vaccinated.
Local health offices do not charge a fee for giving the vaccine.

It's OK to have questions about vaccines.

Many people may have questions and concerns about vaccines. Asking questions helps you make the best choices for yourself and your family. Your doctor or pharmacist can provider answers and help you decide which vaccines are right for you.

The Health Department's Role

Even one case of measles requires a significant public health response. The Health Department team:

Works with places where people might have been exposed to measles to notify those who were exposed and check if they’re protected.
Offers free vaccines to anyone who is not already protected against measles.
Coordinates antibody treatments to people who are at higher risk of getting very sick, like young children or people who are immunocompromised.
Checks in with people who were around someone with measles regularly to see if they develop symptoms.
Supports people who need to stay home and away from others with things like getting groceries or medicines, if needed.
Keeps health care providers, partners and the public informed while maintaining people's privacy.

Check your vaccine records for MMR or MMRV.

If you don't have documentation, contact your health care provider or request your vaccination records through your state’s vaccination record system.

Request Vermont vaccine records

Adults, wondering if you are protected against measles?

If you were born before 1957, you are likely protected against measles.
If you were born in 1957 or later:
- You are protected from measles if you have received either 1 or 2 doses of MMR or MMRV vaccine.
- Some people do need 2 doses of MMR or MMRV: students at post-high school education institutions, health care personnel, international travelers, close contacts of immunocompromised people, and people with HIV infection.
If you were vaccinated in the 1960s:
- An inactivated measles vaccine was used from 1963 to 1967. This vaccine was not effective. If you were vaccinated before 1968 with either an inactivated measles vaccine, or measles vaccine of unknown type, you should receive at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. You should receive two if you have the risk factors listed above.
If you don’t have evidence of immunity, and have no health reasons to avoid the MMR vaccine, you can be vaccinated. You do not need to have immune titers checked. There is no harm in giving the MMR vaccine to someone who may already be immune.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is vitamin A used for?

You may be hearing lots of information about how to protect your child from measles and it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s not true. Here’s what’s true:

Vitamins and supplements, including cod liver oil and vitamin A, do not prevent measles.

It is true that vitamin A may be used by a doctor when treating a child with measles. There is evidence – from countries where vitamin A deficiency is a major public health issue (not the U.S.) – that giving certain amounts of vitamin A by a provider can lower the risk of death among children with measles who do not have enough vitamin A.

Too much vitamin A can cause serious health problems.

Do not give your child vitamin A or any supplements, unless your doctor prescribes it. Too much vitamin A can be dangerous and can lead to liver damage and other serious issues. Vitamin A is not well regulated in the U.S. It is not tested for consistency or purity. So, it’s not always possible to know how much you are giving. Most children get enough vitamin A in their diet. Talk to your doctor before giving vitamin A or any other supplements to your child.

Cod liver oil has high amounts of vitamin A, much higher than the recommended daily amounts. Too much cod liver oil can make children sick. It’s also high in vitamin D—another nutrient that can be dangerous if children take more than the recommended daily amount. Do not give your child cod liver oil, unless your doctor prescribes it.

The measles vaccine is the absolute best way to prevent measles.

In fact, one dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective. The measles vaccine has been around for a long time. It doesn't change from year to year. And it’s the reason why measles was almost completely eliminated from the U.S. As a routine childhood vaccine, most parents choose to protect their children through vaccination.