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Measles Information for Providers

2025 Update on Measles in New York City

Providers should be vigilant for possible cases of measles in NYC due to an increase in domestic and global measles activity. The majority of infections were acquired while outside the U.S.

Measles is highly contagious with airborne transmission: infected individuals are contagious from four days before through four days after rash onset.

Action Items for Clinicians

  • Provide a strong recommendation for on-time measles vaccination to patients and caregivers and recall patients who are not up to date.
  • At healthcare facility points of entry, screen all patients with fever for a rash, and inquire about recent international travel or known exposure to measles. This applies to people of all ages, not just children, since measles can occur in adults as well.
  • Immediately isolate patients suspected of measles in a negative pressure room.
  • Immediately report to the NYC Health Department possible measles cases at the time of clinical suspicion by calling the Provider Access Line at 866-692-3641. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation.
  • Review the isolation, reporting and testing guidelines (PDF) for more information. 

Vaccination

Ensure your patients are up to date with their MMR vaccine. Providers can register their practice online for access to the NYC Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR) as an immunizing or a non-immunizing provider. Only doses reported to the CIR are available directly to the patient on MyVaccineRecord.

  • MMR for Children: Children should routinely receive two doses of measles-containing vaccine, starting with the first dose at age 12 months and the second dose at age 4 through 6 years before school entry. Children can receive the second dose of the MMR vaccine earlier than 4 through 6 years, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.
    • The CDC recommends that separate MMR and varicella vaccines be given for the first dose in children aged 12 to 47 months. However, the MMRV vaccine may be used if parents or caregivers express a preference.

  • MMR for Adults: Adults born before 1957 (before a measles vaccine was available) are very likely to have had measles disease and are considered immune to measles. For most adults born on or after 1957, one MMR dose is considered sufficient. There are some adults who are recommended to get a second dose, including healthcare workers, students at post-high school educational institutions, and international travelers. There is no recommendation for a third dose of MMR for measles protection, regardless of how long it has been since the last dose.
    • A small percent of adults born between 1957 to 1968 received an inactivated MMR vaccine which was discontinued because it was found to be less effective than the live MMR vaccine which is used today. Adults born between 1957 to 1968 are recommended to be revaccinated if they received the inactivated measles vaccine or if they don’t know which type of measles vaccine they received.

Vaccination Before International Travel

People travelling internationally may need an early or extra dose of the MMR vaccine. Ask patients about travel plans during their visits.

  • Infants ages 6 to 11 months: Give an early, extra dose of the MMR vaccine. This early, extra dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose vaccine series and needs to be repeated at age 12 months and at least 28 days after the early, extra dose.
  • Children age 12 months and older: If unvaccinated, give the first MMR dose now. If they have one prior MMR dose administered at age 12 months or older and it has been more than 28 days after the last dose, give the second MMR dose now. An early second dose counts toward the routine series and does not need to be repeated, even if given prior to age 4 years.
  • Adults without evidence of immunity to measles: Give the first dose now and give the second dose 28 days after the first dose.
    • Evidence of immunity against measles for adults prior to international travel includes documentation of adequate vaccination (two MMR doses for adults), laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of measles, or birth in the United States before 1957.

Measles Guidance for Providers

Posters

Handouts for Patients Exposed to Measles

Vaccine Safety Information

More Information