Red is not a small matter. Before vaccines became widespread, measles was a common childhood disease. But unlike other common infections, such as the flu or the common cold, measles is not mild. The long-term consequences of being exposed to measles are very real.
Therefore, as a family physician and immunization and public health expert, I am concerned about the resurgence of measles in our communities. Every year since 2023, we have seen an exponential increase in measles and multiple outbreaks across the United States.
Last year, Texas was in the news with a large measles outbreak involving hundreds of cases. And now, it South Carolina, which grabbed the headlines with another outbreak, it quickly approaches 1,000 cases. Overall, it appears that 2026 is now on pace to easily surpass the more than 2,000 cases of measles diagnosed in the United States in 2025.
Although it is a growing health risk, the good news is that there are clear steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your community from measles.
Why is measles serious?
measles It is more serious than other viral diseases because of two unique characteristics: its severity and its ability to spread very easily.
An acute case of measles usually begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis, which are symptoms similar to other respiratory illnesses. The classic red rash starts on the forehead and moves down the body after a few days. But measles can also lead to a number of serious and long-term complications. Measles can cause life-threatening pneumonia and can impair your immune system’s ability to fight off other diseases, even those for which you have been vaccinated in the past. If measles spreads to the nervous system, it can cause a devastating and even fatal neurodegenerative disease that occurs years after a person has recovered from the acute infection.
That’s certainly bad enough, but here’s the trick Measles is highly contagious. If you have measles and you are in a room with 10 unvaccinated people, you will probably give it to nine other people. Compare that to the flu, where you probably only give it to two or three other people. And since measles is airborne, you don’t even need to be in close contact with someone who has it. Public transportation and large events are opportunities for spread when community vaccination rates are low.
How to prevent measles
The best way to prevent measles is vaccination. Measles vaccines are safe and effective, and they have been around for a long time. For decades, the measles vaccine has been given alongside the mumps and rubella vaccines, often called the “MMR” vaccine. The first measles vaccines were available in the 1960s and have been given to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
The MMR vaccine has a very long historical record of being safe and is one of the most effective vaccines we have. It is given in two separate doses, and those who receive two doses have better than 95% protection against measles.
Even a highly effective vaccine does not provide 100% immunity. The more measles is around, the more likely you are to get measles. That’s why it’s so important for all of us to do our part to protect ourselves and our communities: the more people who are vaccinated, the less measles is spread for everyone.
It is never too late to reach out and get vaccinated
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that a child complete vaccination against measles between 4 and 6 years old. But if you’ve never had the measles vaccine or never gotten both doses, the good news is that you absolutely can get one at any time.
The MMR vaccine is available nationwide and is safe for adults as well as children. Some older adults may not need the full two-dose vaccine if they had measles during a common childhood infection. But regardless of age, you can consult a doctor Learn more about vaccines and get the measles vaccine if you need it.
About Dr. Morris
Laura Morris, MD, MSPH, FAAFP, is a professor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and Chief Medical Officer of MU Health Care. He is also an AAFP Research Fellow on Vaccines.
