Protecting Your Family from Measles in 2026 and Top Symptoms to Know

We encourage all families to ensure their children are up to date with all their vaccinations, including the measles vaccine. For children. the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine childhood immunization for the MMR vaccine starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose or booster at 4 through 6 years of age or at least 28 days following the first dose.

College students at post-high school educational institutions without evidence of measles immunity need two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the second dose administered no earlier than 28 days after the first dose.

What are symptoms of measles?

Measles affects all organs of the body, and can cause serious, and in some cases, life-threatening complications in children, including pneumonia and encephalitis.

A person infected with measles may not show symptoms for up to four days and during this time they can possibly spread this contagious virus to other children whom they come in contact with through coughing or sneezing. The measles virus can live for up to two hours on a surface or in an airspace where an infected person coughed or sneezed.

Symptoms of measles Include:

• Fever of 101 degrees or above
• Generalized maculopapular rash (a rash with both flat and raised parts), usually beginning on the face and spreading to the body
• The presence of one or more of the following
  • Cough
  • Coryza (irritation and inflammation of nasal membranes that cause runny or stuffy nose)
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

If your child has not received this vaccine or you are unsure if they are up to date, please contact your pediatrician’s office and ask them to check your child’s vaccine records.