Do I need a measles vaccine booster shot? What to know as new outbreak leads to first death

Throughout February, a measles outbreak has been growing in West Texas. The potentially deadly disease, once eliminated from the United States in terms of its continuous transmission, has been making a comeback in recent years as vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine movements rise. Unfortunately, this outbreak has now had deadly consequences.

Earlier this week, it was reported that one unvaccinated Texas child has died as a result of the outbreak. The unfortunate event, along with the continued spread of the disease, has left many asking whether they need a measles vaccine booster shot. Here’s what you need to know.

About the measles vaccine

The good news is that there is an effective vaccine against measles, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That vaccine is generally packaged with vaccines for other diseases, giving you protection from a variety of illnesses.

A measles vaccine is part of an MMR shot, which stands for “measles, mumps, and rubella.” The measles vaccine is also part of the MMRV shot, which stands for “measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox).” The vaccines help protect against all three or four diseases, respectively. 

To receive maximum protection from measles, you’ll need two doses of either the MMR shot or the MMRV shot. The dosing schedule depends on the age of the person.

In children, the CDC says the recommended schedule for the MMR vaccine is to have the first dose between 12-15 months of age and the second dose between 4-6 years of age.

If children are getting the MMRV shot instead, the CDC says the first dose should also be given between 12-15 months of age and the second dose between 4-6 years of age. However, the agency notes that the second dose of MMRV “can also be given 3 months after 1st dose.”

As for older children, adolescents, and adults, the CDC says those who do not have evidence of immunity “need 1 or 2 doses of MMR vaccine.”

Should I get a measles booster shot if I’ve already been fully vaccinated?

It’s important to note that before making any medical decisions, you should always check with a doctor who is familiar with your unique medical history.

As noted by CBS, most people who have had two doses of the recommended vaccine will be protected as much as possible throughout their lives.

However, one group of people would likely benefit from another course of the vaccine. This group includes those who were first vaccinated against measles before 1968 and do not know which vaccine they received.

As the CDC explains, this is because, before 1968, some people received measles vaccines that contained an inactive (killed) strain of the virus, which was ineffective. Modern measles vaccines use a live strain of the virus to produce maximum protection in the body.

“People who were vaccinated prior to 1968 with either inactivated (killed) measles vaccine or measles vaccine of unknown type should be revaccinated with at least one dose of live attenuated measles vaccine,” the CDC states. “This recommendation is intended to protect those who may have received killed measles vaccine, which was available in 1963-1967 and was not effective”

Is the measles vaccine safe and effective?

Health authorities including the CDC say the measles vaccine is both safe and effective. When it comes to the efficacy rate of the MMR vaccine, the numbers are very good.

The CDC says one dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles. The efficacy increases to 97% after the second shot.

Furthermore, the health authorities say the MMR vaccine is safe for those who are breastfeeding and that there is no connection between autism and the vaccine. 

“There is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism,” the CDC notes. “Scientists in the United States and other countries have carefully studied the MMR vaccine. None has found a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.”

While getting the vaccine does not fully protect you from measles, vaccinated individuals who do contract the disease generally experience milder symptoms and are also less likely to spread measles to others, according to the agency.

In a February 27 memo addressing the Texas outbreak that has killed one so far, the CDC says, “Vaccination remains the best defense against measles infection.”

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