The measles outbreak in the Southwest has resulted in two deaths, both of unvaccinated individuals. As the virus spreads, many are wondering if they need to be vaccinated or if a booster is required.
Infectious disease experts agree that measles is not a trivial disease and can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain swelling. The US declared measles effectively eliminated in 2000 due to widespread vaccination efforts, but outbreaks are occurring again because of low vaccination rates.
To reach herd immunity, approximately 95% of people need to be vaccinated. In the Texas community where one child died during the outbreak, the vaccination rate among kindergartners is only 82%. However, for most people, two doses of MMR vaccine provide lifetime protection against measles.
If you were born after 1989 and received two doses of MMR, you are good to go. The same applies if you were born before 1957, as you likely had the virus as a child and are now immune. Those born between 1957 and 1989 should review their vaccination records, as some may have received less effective vaccines or only one dose.
For those unsure of their vaccination status, experts recommend getting vaccinated rather than undergoing a titer test, which can be expensive and doesn’t provide a complete picture of immunity. Even if your antibody levels are low, you may still have protection through memory B cells.
Source: https://slate.com/technology/2025/03/measles-outbreak-vaccine-booster-titers.html