Measles

Measles Alert: Updated March 17, 2025

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is closely monitoring the ongoing measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. Measles is an airborne virus that can remain viable for up to 2 hours on surfaces and in the air and is highly contagious – one case could infect 12 to 18 non-immune individuals.

There are currently no reported cases of measles in Colorado. However, there is concern for measles cases in Colorado. Currently, 11.7% of kindergarteners in Colorado are unvaccinated indicating a 51-61% risk of a measles outbreak.

Measles (MMR) Vaccination: Frequently Asked Questions

The measles vaccine is highly safe and effective at preventing measles and is also used to help stop outbreaks by delivering vaccine to unvaccinated individuals soon after exposure.

Do I need “booster” doses of measles vaccine (MMR) vaccine to prevent measles?

No. BCH’s infectious diseases team says “booster” doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) ARE NOT RECOMMENDED for adults or children. Recipients who have received the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered to have life-long immunity. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles.

Do I need to get checked for Measles immunity if I have documentation of two vaccines?

No, you are considered immune.

Do I need to get checked for Measles immunity if I only have documentation of one vaccine or I can’t find my vaccine documentation?

You can have your provider obtain a Measles (Rubeola) Ab test to see if you are immune or you can ask your provider for an additional MMR vaccine. There is no harm if you get more than 2 vaccines, but extra vaccines do not add extra immunity.

What is considered acceptable evidence of immunity to measles?

Acceptable presumptive evidence of immunity against measles includes at least one of the following:

1. Written documentation of adequate vaccination:
   1. One or more doses of a measles-containing vaccine administered on or after the first birthday for preschool-age children and adults not at high risk.
   2. Two doses of measles-containing vaccine for school-age children, adolescents, and adults at high risk, including college students, healthcare personnel, and international travelers.
2. Laboratory evidence of immunity against measles
3. Laboratory confirmation of past or present measles infection (verbal history of measles does not count)
4. Birth before 1957

Although birth before 1957 is considered acceptable evidence of measles immunity, healthcare facilities should consider vaccinating unvaccinated personnel born before 1957 who do not have other evidence of immunity AND have received 2 doses of MMR vaccine (minimum interval 28 days).

Measles (MMR) Vaccine Recommendations for Children

• Two doses of measles-containing vaccine either measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV), one at 12–15 months and a second at 4-6 years
• An early dose of MMR is recommended for infants ages 6-11 months prior to international travel or to areas with measles outbreaks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks measles cases and outbreaks on its Measles Cases and Outbreaks webpage

Measles (MMR) Vaccine Recommendations for Adults

Zero, one, or two doses of MMR vaccine are needed for the adults described below.

Zero doses of MMR vaccine:

• Adults born before 1957, except healthcare personnel*
• Adults born 1957 or later, who are at low risk (i.e., not an international traveler or healthcare worker, or person attending college or other post-high school educational institution) and who have already received one or more documented doses of live measles vaccine
• Adults with laboratory evidence of immunity or laboratory confirmation of current or past measles infection

One dose of MMR vaccine:

• Adults born in 1957 or later who are at low risk (i.e., not an international traveler, healthcare worker, or person attending college or other post-high school educational institution) and have no documented vaccination with live measles vaccine and no laboratory evidence of immunity or documented prior measles infection.

Two doses of MMR vaccine:

• High-risk adults without any prior documented live measles vaccination and no laboratory evidence of immunity or documented prior measles infection, including:
  • Healthcare personnel*
  • International travelers born in 1957 or later
  • People attending colleges and other post-high school educational institutions

People who previously received a dose of measles vaccine in 1963–1967 and are unsure which type of vaccine they received, or are sure it was inactivated measles vaccine, should be revaccinated with either one (if low-risk) or two (if high-risk) doses of MMR vaccine.

Do I need an MMR vaccine if I am travelling to an area with a known measles outbreak?

If you are traveling to an area with an on-going Measles outbreak, it is recommended that you check your MMR vaccine status. If you are not considered immune (see above), consider getting your MMR vaccine. Please consult with your provider if you have underlying health issues.

Where to get a Measles (MMR) Vaccine

We offer the Measles vaccine for adults and children at all BCH Primary Care clinics. Please call 303-415-4015 to schedule.

BCH is part of the Vaccines for Children program administered by the Department of Public Health & Environment. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program providers free or low-cost vaccines for children who are uninsured, underinsured, on Medicaid or Medicaid eligible, and/or Alaskan Native/American Indian. Free vaccination for children is available at 4 BCH Primary Care clinic locations:

• Anchor Point Primary Care
• Gunbarrel Family Medicine
• Family Medical Associates of Lafayette
• Northwest Family Medicine