Table of Contents
Measles can spread easily between people from tiny droplets that are expelled from coughing and sneezing or close contact with another infected person. Because international travel puts you in proximity with many people from around the world in crowded airports, train stations, tourist venues and the like, your risk for exposure to measles may be higher than your everyday life.
Do I Need a Measles (MMR) Vaccine Before Travel?
If you are not fully vaccinated against measles, then yes, the measles vaccine is recommended before any international travel. Measles is one of the most infectious (easily spread) illnesses in our environment. For example, if a person with measles is around 10 people who are unvaccinated, 9 out of those 10 people will also get sick with measles.
What Countries Have Risk for Measles?
Measles infections are common in nearly every country of the world. While large outbreaks are more likely to occur in developing countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, the measles vaccines is recommended for all international travelers regardless of their destination. This includes travel to developed countries throughout Europe as well as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
What Vaccine is Given for Measles?
In the United States, there is no stand alone measles vaccine, instead a combination vaccine called MMR is given and protects against three diseases in one immunization; measles, mumps, and rubella. This is done to make it easier to protect against several highly infectious diseases in a single injection.
How Do I Know If I Am Fully Vaccinated?
For children and adults, two doses of MMR are considered fully vaccinated for lifetime. Each dose should be given at least 4 weeks apart and the first dose is typically given at 12 months in the US. Only count vaccines that appear on an official document from your physician or other public health office.
Should Infants Receive the Measles Vaccine Before Travel?
Children 6 months through 11 months should receive the MMR vaccine before international travel. This includes travel to Europe, Japan, and Australia. In the United States, the MMR vaccine is usually given at age 12 months, but can be given earlier to protect young children from measles infection. If a dose of MMR is given before 12 months, it does not count toward the two lifetime doses and must be repeated after the infant turns 1 year.
My Shot Record Shows 1 Dose of Measles (MMR) Vaccine, Am I Protected?
For international travel, you are not considered fully protected against measles with a single dose. A second dose should be given 2 weeks before your departure to ensure best protection.
What If I Don’t Have 2 Weeks Before Leaving To Get a Measles (MMR) Vaccine?
That’s OK, get the measles vaccine as soon as you are able before your international trip, even if it is the day before you leave. Some protection is always better than none, and if you have a trip that is more than week, you’ll be near full protection by the second week of travel.
I Lost My Vaccine Record But I’m Certain I’ve Had Measles Vaccine Before, What Should I Do?
You can consider a titer blood test, also known as an immunity test to check if you still have protective antibodies. Be sure to complete a titer not only measles but also mumps, and rubella. If the MMR titer result comes back as positive, it means you are protected and do not need vaccination. If the result returns as negative, then vaccination is needed before travel.
I Received One Measles (MMR) Vaccine Many Years Ago and Now I Have Plans to Travel, Should I Repeat the 1st Dose?
Public health tells us that you do not need to repeat the 1st dose of measles (MMR) as long as you have an official physical or electronic document from your physician or other public health agency as proof of your vaccination.
When Did the Measles Vaccine Become Available in US?
The first measles vaccine was licensed in the United States in 1963. Since then, there are been several variations of the vaccine and the standard two doses of MMR became accepted by public health in 1989. For many people, this means they only received a single dose of measles vaccine as a child and may not be fully protected before their international trip.
I Was Born Before 1957, Why Am I Considered Immune Against Measles?
Before vaccines became available, large outbreaks of illness occurred routinely in children. For people born before 1957, it’s assumed they were exposed to measles, mumps, and rubella as children and therefore are considered to have natural immunity. Some people born before 1957 still chose to have a blood test to be certain they experienced the infection as a child since oral history and memories fade with time.
Where Can I Find the Measles (MMR) Vaccine or Titer Immunity Test?
Destination Health Travel Clinic offers three Massachusetts locations for vaccination or blood testing. Schedule an appointment online or by phone to speak with a travel health specialist about your upcoming international trip.