Medical contributions and review by James Daniel Campbell, MD, MS, FAAP.
These days, fewer people are getting vaccinated, possibly due to myths surrounding measles and a lack of understanding about measles prevention.
Protecting yourself, your family and your community from measles goes beyond getting vaccinated. It also involves being informed about measles, recognizing the symptoms and understanding what’s true (and untrue) about the illness.
What Is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can affect children and adults. It’s also known as rubeola. Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If you’re not vaccinated against it, there’s a 90% chance you’ll become infected if you’re exposed to the measles virus.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine helps protect against getting measles. The vaccine works by using a weakened, harmless version of the virus to help your body create antibodies that protect you if you’re exposed in the future.
Signs and Symptoms Everyone Should Know
People with measles usually start showing symptoms 7 to 14 days after being infected. When symptoms first appear, you may think your child has a cold or other seasonal illness. They may have a cough, high fever (which can reach over 104 degrees), a runny nose and red, watery eyes.
But after about four days, they can develop a rash that starts at the top of the head and spreads down the body.
Some people think that measles is just a mild rash and fever. But it can cause serious health issues, especially for kids under 5 years old. Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. More severe complications include pneumonia and brain swelling. In rare cases, it can even lead to death, especially in young children.
Common Measles Vaccine Myths
Vaccination has clear benefits and is an important part of keeping children healthy. However, misinformation and hesitancy have contributed to an increase in measles cases. It’s important to separate fact from fiction when making decisions about your and your child’s health.
Myth No. 1: The Measles Vaccine Doesn’t Work.
Fact: This is false! Decades of research show that the measles vaccination is safe and effective at preventing measles. One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles, and two doses are 97% effective at preventing it. For most people, the MMR vaccine provides lifelong protection. These vaccines have been safely used for over 50 years and have saved an estimated 60 million lives worldwide between 2000 and 2023.
Myth No. 2: Measles Is No Longer a Problem in the U.S.
Fact: Measles is still an active virus in many states within the U.S. While measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000, it’s making a comeback, with hundreds of measles cases reported in recent outbreaks and more than 1,500 this year in the U.S. Anyone not protected against measles is at risk of getting and spreading measles.
Myth No. 3: The Measles Vaccine Causes Autism.
Fact: There is no connection between autism and the MMR vaccine. Thorough scientific research over many years has debunked this myth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics also provide resources to learn more about vaccine safety and autism.
Like other vaccines, the measles vaccine can cause some side effects, which usually aren’t serious. Common side effects include:
- Fever
- Mild rash
- Sore arm or leg
- Temporary joint stiffness and pain, which is more common in teenagers and women
Myth No. 4: I Can Give My Child Vitamin A Instead of Vaccination.
Fact: Vitamin A does not prevent measles and is not a substitute for vaccination. The MMR vaccine is the only way to prevent measles infection. Even further, overuse of vitamin A can be harmful, leading to organ damage. The best way to ensure your child gets the vitamin A they need is through a healthy diet.
Myth No. 5: My Decision Not to Vaccinate Is Personal and Doesn’t Affect Others.
Fact: Your decision about whether to get vaccinated is personal, but when you get vaccinated against measles, you are protecting yourself and the people around you. This concept is known as community or herd immunity. Measles is so highly contagious that vaccination coverage of at least 95% of us is vital to prevent measles outbreaks.
Some children cannot be vaccinated because they are too young, have an immune system problem or are on chemotherapy, for example. If they get measles, they can get very sick. When the people around them, in schools, at parks and at gatherings are vaccinated, those kids, too, can be safe.
Stay Informed to Stay Healthy
If you are unsure about your vaccination history or immunity, it’s safe and recommended to get a measles vaccine. Vaccination remains the best defense against the disease. Most adults who have been vaccinated or had measles as a child do not need the vaccine. People born before 1957 are also considered to be immune to measles because there’s a very high chance they’ve had measles.
If you were vaccinated with an early measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967, you may have received a less effective version and might need an updated shot.
For accurate health information, always talk with your doctor or medical provider and consult reliable sources like the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can also read this expert guide on vaccinations. Relying on misinformation puts your child and other children’s health at risk.