Don't Let Measles Be Your Travel Souvenir
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
With summer travel season upon us, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would like to remind you of the MMR vaccination recommendations for international travelers and persons living in or traveling domestically to areas with ongoing measles outbreaks and community-wide transmission.
International Travel
The MMR vaccinations recommendations for international travel have not changed.
Infants under 12 months old
- Get an early dose at 6-11 months
- Follow the recommended schedule and get another dose at 12-15 months and a final dose at 4-6 years
Children over 12 months old
- Get first dose immediately
- Get second dose 28 days after first dose
Teens and adults with no evidence of immunity*
- Get first dose immediately
- Get second dose 28 days after first dose
*Acceptable presumptive evidence of immunity against measles includes at least one of the following: written documentation of adequate vaccination, laboratory evidence of immunity, laboratory confirmation of measles, or birth in the United States before 1957.
Patients who need MMR vaccine should be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before departure. If the trip is less than 2 weeks away, and the patient is not protected against measles, give him/her a dose of MMR vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine provide 97% protection against measles; one dose provides 93% protection.
Domestic Travel to Outbreak Areas
CDC’s MMR vaccination recommendations for persons residing in or visiting domestic measles outbreak areas within the U.S. have also not changed. You should ensure that people who live in and are traveling to areas in the U.S. where there is ongoing, community-wide transmission of measles are up to date on MMR vaccine. To decide whether to vaccinate an infant visitor less than 12 months of age, follow local health department guidance for the affected area (e.g., if no recommendation was made to vaccinate infant residents, do not vaccinate infant visitors).
Certain area of New York (state and city) are experiencing large on-going outbreaks, and they have issued guidance for individuals who will spend time in certain communities.
- See guidance for Rockland County
- See guidance for New York City
For more information, please contact the local health department for the community you are visiting or the CDC website.
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