The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly advises all international travelers to be fully vaccinated against measles with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Their recommendations include:

• Infants 6–11 months old: One early dose of MMR at least two weeks before travel.
• Individuals 12 months and older: Two doses of MMR, spaced at least 28 days apart, unless they have confirmed immunity from previous vaccination or past measles infection.

Most cases of measles imported into the U.S. are from unvaccinated American travelers who became infected abroad. Travel hubs like airports, public transportation, and crowded events increase the risk of exposure and transmission.

Clinician Guidance

Healthcare providers should not rely on self-reported vaccination or illness history. Instead, they should follow ACIP guidelines and confirm measles immunity with:

• Written vaccination records
• Laboratory evidence of immunity
• Laboratory-confirmed past measles infection
• U.S. birth before 1957

Infants and travelers without valid documentation should be vaccinated appropriately for their age before departure.

For more details, visit the CDC’s measles page, MMR vaccine guidelines, and travel-specific health recommendations. Staying protected is not just about individual safety, it's a critical step in preventing the spread of measles across borders and communities.