Measles

About the vaccine

It's free and recommended for children at 12 and 18 months as part of their other childhood immunizations.

The MMR vaccine is also free and recommended for adults who have never had measles, mumps or rubella or received the vaccine. If you haven't had the MMR vaccine book an appointment with your public health nurse or doctor.

  • The measles vaccine is combined with the mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR vaccine), so a person can receive protection from several diseases with one shot.
  • It's free for anyone who does not have a record of receiving two doses and was born after 1956.
  • To get the MMR vaccine, book an appointment with your doctor or local health provider including your local health unit.
  • The MMR vaccine is effective in preventing disease caused by these viruses in up to 95 percent of recipients after one dose. After two doses, it is 99% protective. The vaccine is very safe, and far safer than getting measles, mumps or rubella.
  • For more information about the vaccine, who should get it, the benefits and typical side effects, read our HealthLinkBC file: Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine (14a)

About the disease

  • Measles (red measles) was a common childhood disease before widespread use of vaccines
  • Measles is caused by the measles virus 
  • Measles starts with a cough, cold-like symptoms, red eyes, and a fever, which are followed by a rash
  • Complications and deaths are most common in infants less than twelve months old and in adults 
  • The most common causes of death are pneumonia or an infection of the lungs, and encephalitis which is an infection of the brain by the measles virus
  • One person in every 1,000 with measles will get encephalitis. Encephalitis can lead to convulsions, deafness or mental disability
  • One person in every 3,000 with measles may die of complications
  • For more information on this disease, see the Measles (14b) HealthLink BC file

Photo courtesy of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. More vaccine preventable disease images

What will happen if I or my child gets measles?

Measles starts with a cough, cold-like symptoms and red eyes, and fever. Then a rash starting on the face and neck and spreading to the trunk and limbs appears. Complications are pneumonia affecting the lungs, ear infection, and encephalitis which is infection in the brain. Death can occur although is uncommon.

Note: If there is a case of measles at your child’s school or daycare, and your child is not up to date with their vaccines, they may be excluded from that setting until 21 days after their exposure. That’s how long it takes to see whether they have become infected.

This same rule applies to both children and staff in settings like schools and day cares, because infectious diseases spread easily in these places. It also applies to unimmunized health care workers who are exposed to measles cases in emergency rooms and hospitals.