Recently, my New York City Travel Medicine and Internal Medicine practices have been swamped with questions regarding measles (New York is currently having a major issue with measles). The most common question is: AM I IMMUNE TO MEASLES?

You are considered immune to measles if you:

1. 1. Are born prior to 1957 (or)
   2. Have documentation of two measles vaccinations at least a month apart after age 1 (or)
   3. Have laboratory evidence that you are immune to measles. (Meaning, you have a positive “titer”…a high enough level of IgG (Immunoglobulin “g”) to mount an adequate immune response to measles).

-If you DO NOT meet those criteria, you are a candidate for two measles vaccinations, given at least 1 month apart.
-If you received one measles vaccination in the past and you are born in 1957 or afterwards, you are a candidate for one measles booster.
-Since MMR is a “live” vaccine, it is contraindicated (recommended against) in people with compromised immune systems.

Further general measles disease and vaccine information can be found on the CDC website (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention).

Updated information specifically related to the New York outbreak can be found on the NYC Department of Health Website.

Information regarding the measles vaccination itself is contained in the MMR Vaccine Information Statement (VIS).