As measles become an increasing threat across the country, federal health officials continue to encourage parents to vaccinate their children in order not to become infected with the highly contagious virus.
As of Tuesday, more than 160 people have infected measles in at least eight states, according to online disease control centers.
Texas announced the first measles death in the United States after a decade last month against the background of a continuing hearth. Other states with confirmed cases are: Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, Rod Island, New York and New Jersey.
An infectious disease caused by the measles virus is transmitted through the air when an infected person cough, sneeze or breathe. This is so contagious, say health experts, 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to it, wrap the contracting measles.
But can you get measles if you were vaccinated? Do you need a booster? Here’s what to know.
An infographic of the measles virus was shown during a press conference at the Austinian Public Health Service at the Bergstrom Technology Center in Austin, February 28, 2025.
See map: Cases of measles in the United States exceed 100: Which countries have reported measles in 2025?
Can you get measles if you were vaccinated?
Yes, you can infect the virus if you have been vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) according to CDC.
But it is rare. Approximately three of 100 people who have received two -dose vaccination can infect the virus when exposed, CDC says. Their symptoms are softer than those who shrink it without being vaccinated -and less likely to spread measles.
CDC data, one dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, 78% effective against mumps and 97% effective against rubella.
Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles and 88% effective for mumps.
Do you need a measles booster?
Most vaccinated adults are immunized against measles and do not need a booster, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Older people born before 1957
The Austin Public Health Truck is decorated with an advertising promotion of vaccinations while parked outside the public health office at Austin at the Bergstrom Technology Center in Austin, February 28, 2025.
An outbreak of measles: How did you spread? A look at the percentages of release from vaccines in Texas
What is measles and how do you get it?
Measles is a highly contagious disease destined for a vaccine caused by a virus that mainly affects children most. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body.
According to CDC data, one of five non -vague people who become infected with the virus end in hospitalized.
Measles are spread by contact with infected secretions of the nose or throat or by breathing in the virus after coughing, sneezing or sending into the air by an infected person, according to the WHO. The measles virus can remain infected in the air or on contaminated surfaces for up to two hours.
What are the symptoms of measles?
The symptoms of measles usually occur seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and usually include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, according to CDC. The measles rash occurs three to five days after the onset of the first symptoms.
Other signs and symptoms of the virus include:
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Koplik spots, small white spots that can occur inside the mouth two to three days after the onset of symptoms
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High temperature. When the rash occurs, a person’s fever can jump to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit
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Loss of appetite, diarrhea
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A reddish-brown rash that can spread all over the body
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Small raised bumps can also appear on flat red spots (spots can be combined together as they spread from head to rest of the body)
Contribution: Julia Gomez
Natalie Neisa Alund is a USA Today Senior Reporter. Reach it at nalund@usatoday.com and follow it at X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared in USA Today: Can you get measles if you are vaccinated? Do you need a booster?