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Preventing Measles Before & After Travel
Planning to travel this summer? Follow CDC and MCDH recommendations to help keep your family healthy
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Severe cases can lead to hospitalization and even death.
Measles is still common in many parts of the world. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated and travels internationally or to an area with a measles outbreak is at risk.
You can protect yourself and your children with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
What to Do Before You Travel (especially if traveling to an area with an active measles outbreak)
1. Speak to a healthcare provider
Talk to your doctor, nurse, or clinic to make sure everyone in your travel group is protected against measles.
2. Get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you leave.
- Babies 6 through 11 months old should get an early dose of the MMR vaccine, as well as the regularly recommended series (at 12-15 months of age and 4-6 years of age), for a total of three doses.
- Everyone 12 months and older (including adults) should get 2 total doses before travel.
- If you haven't been vaccinated before, get the first dose right away. You can get the 2nd dose 28 days later.
- If you've gotten 1 dose before, get a 2nd dose before travel.
3. Even if your trip is less than 2 weeks away, you can still get 1 dose of the MMR vaccine.
What to Do After You Travel (especially if traveling to an area with an active measles outbreak)
1. Watch for measles symptoms for 3 weeks after your return. Measles is very contagious and can spread to others quickly.
2. Call the doctor or clinic RIGHT AWAY if:
- You think you or your child have been exposed to measles.
- You or your child gets sick with a rash and fever. Tell your doctor where you traveled, and if you and your child previously received the MMR vaccine.
3. If you or your child are sick with a rash and fever, stay home until you talk to the doctor or clinic.
If you plan to travel to an area in the U.S. with a measles outbreak, talk to your doctor, nurse, or clinic to make sure everyone is protected against measles. Do not travel if you are sick.