Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable virus that poses a risk to anyone not vaccinated.

Measles

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The disease can actively linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.  If someone breathes contaminated air or touches infected surfaces and then their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected.

If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected by vaccine. 

Vaccination

The best way to protect yourself from measles is to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are required to receive full protection.

The MMR vaccine is offered at doctor’s offices and pharmacies. Children under the age of 14 will require a prescription from a doctor to receive the vaccine at a pharmacy. APH offers the MMR vaccine at our Shots for Tots and Big Shots clinics. 

   With Private Insurance Without Health Insurance
Children and Adults Call your primary care doctor or you can visit most CVS, Walgreens or HEB pharmacies to be immunized.        
Adults   Multiple CommunityCare and Lone Star Circle of Care locations offer Adult Safety Net (ASN) vaccines for low or no cost.
Children  

For children with Medicaid or without health insurance:

Vaccines for Children (VFC) participating providers such as CommunityCare, Carousel Pediatrics, Lone Star Circle of Care,  Austin Regional Clinic and Austin Diagnostic Clinic carry MMR vaccine. A full list of VFC providers can be found here.

Symptoms

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include:  

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Rash

  • Red, watery eyes 

  • Runny Nose

  • Small white spots inside the mouth and throat 

If you believe you may have been exposed to measles, contact your healthcare provider and remain isolated at home otherwise.

Complications

Measles can cause serious health complications and death, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.

  • 1 in 5 people who get measles are hospitalized
  • 1 out of 1,000 people with measles develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
  • 1 to 3 out of 1,000 people with measles die

Who is at risk

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.  

Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. However, measles is still common in many parts of the world. Every year, measles is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers who get measles while they are in other countries. These travelers are mostly Americans and sometimes international visitors.  

Young children, pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised are more likely to experience complications. 

Measles Guidance:

Medical Providers

APH Guidance for Healthcare Providers

Measles PCR Specimen Collection

CDC Infection Prevention Guidance

Patient Education (English)

Patient Education (Spanish)

Child Care & Schools

For School Nurses

Updates for Child Care

Updates for Schools

Social Media Resources:

2025 APH Measles Toolkit

News Archives:

Unvaccinated Infant Tests Positive for Measles in Travis County