Should You Get A Measles Vaccine Booster? Here's What To Know.

Topline

As measles continues to spread through the U.S. with outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico and cases being reported in Washington, D.C., and 16 other states, experts advise people to ensure they’re vaccinated against the illness and note some may want to get booster shots. (For more information on measles outbreaks, check our measles outbreak tracker.)

Key Facts

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Who Should Get Another Dose Of Measles Vaccine?

The only group the CDC recommends should get another dose of the measles vaccine is “people vaccinated prior to 1968 with either inactivated (killed) measles vaccine or measles vaccine of unknown type.” The CDC recommends those people get at least one dose of a new measles vaccine as the vaccine available from 1963 to 1967 was not effective.

Should Anyone Not Get Vaccinated For Measles?

The CDC advises people not to get the vaccine or check with their healthcare provider before getting it if they have previously had an allergic reaction to a dose of the vaccine, are pregnant, have a weakened immune system or have had other vaccines recently. The full list of people who should wait to get vaccinated is available at the CDC website.

Is The Measles Vaccine Safe?

Yes, medical experts say the vaccine is extremely safe and effective. People with two MMR shots are estimated to be about 97% protected from measles, and most people who are vaccinated will never get the illness, according to Yale Medicine. The CDC also states the vaccine usually only has mild side effects that go away on their own—including soreness where the shot was given, fever, rash or temporary pain and stiffness—and there is no link between the vaccine and autism.

Big Number

95%. That’s how many of the confirmed cases in 2025 have been in people who were unvaccinated or did not know their vaccination status. Just 2% of cases have been in people who had two doses of the vaccine, and 3% in those who had one dose.

Is Measles Spreading In The U.s.?

Yes. As of March 20, the CDC reported there were 378 confirmed cases of measles nationwide across 18 states, and that 90% of the confirmed cases have been associated with three reported outbreaks. More than 300 of the cases have been reported in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, and 43 have been reported in New Mexico, according to its health department.

Which States Have Reported Measles Cases?

The CDC said cases have been confirmed in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

Further Reading

Measles Outbreak: Cases Near 330 In Texas As Illness Reported In Washington, D.C. (Forbes)

Measles Vaccination (CDC)