Should a baby get the measles vaccine before the age of 1?

As measles outbreaks rapidly spread across the US, infant parents face a painful dilemma. Is it safe to take my baby to public?

For decades, American parents have relied on high levels of vaccinations in their communities to keep the measles, mumps and Levela (MMR) vaccine safe from birth from birth.

In 2025, the virus is spreading and at least one child is dead, so should parents vaccinate their babies before they turn 1 year old?

What is the current magnitude of measles occurrence?

Since the beginning of 2025, measles has been occurring nationwide due to an outbreak in West Texas. As of March 27, 2025, CDC Report There must be 483 confirmed cases in 19 states. The CDC only reports cases confirmed by laboratory tests or epidemiological links to laboratory-confirmed cases, so the number of people with the actual illness can be significantly higher.

Of the 483 confirmed cases, 70 were so sick that they needed to be hospitalized. The most troublesome thing is the death of a child under the age of five. It is the first measles-related death reported in the US since 2015.

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases on the planet and is transmitted into the air by people who may not even have symptoms yet. When measles enters low vaccination communities, it spreads rapidly, especially in places such as day care, schools, airports, and doctor offices.

Does measles cause long-term damage?

Measles is not simply a rash and fever. It can lead to pneumonia, hearing loss, blindness, and acute encephalitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the brain.

Even children who appear to be recovering from the disease may suffer from long-term complications in children infected with encephalitis, weeks to months after infection, or before age 2, in a fatal condition called a fatal condition Subacute sclerosing pan encephalitis (SSPE) 10 years after infection.

Almost all people with measles develop Long-term control They are at risk of infections from other bacteria and viruses within their immune system.

There is no medication to treat measles. Therefore, vaccination is extremely important.

Why was the first measles given in 12 months?

The current US vaccine schedule requires that the first MMR dose be administered up to 12 months or longer and up to 15 months of age. A second dose is then required between the ages of 4 and 6. This schedule is based on extensive research into vaccine immunology and in-depth analysis of real-world data both here in the United States and in other countries.

The infant carries antibodies from the mother and helps to protect them during the first few months of life. The ability of these antibodies to protect against measles will fade in the first 12 months, but in many cases there are enough antibodies to interfere with the vaccine. These antibodies may prevent the infant’s immune system from adopting a strong response if vaccinated 12 months ago. Therefore, early vaccinations were not recommended in the past.

Historically, experts believed that a single dose given at a year old would provide lifelong protection. However, after a large outbreak occurred in school-age children vaccinated in the late 1980s and early 1990s, researchers found that around 5% of children were unable to accommodate the first dose. It’s a public health expert I’ve started recommending a second dose From 4 to 6 years old to ensure long-term immunity.

Is early vaccination safe and effective?

When traveling with a baby to an area with a high measles rate, CDC The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recommended early administration of the postnatal MMR vaccine, which is as early as six months. This is a standard practice in low- and middle-income countries where measles is common and multiple studies have confirmed its safety.

The difference in early doses is that public health agencies do not count this early vaccine as part of the required two-dose series. Immunity from this initial dose may not last. Therefore, babies receiving early doses You will need to get two additional doses– One is 12-15 months, the other is 4-6 years. Luckily, it’s safe to receive an additional dose.

Can I check if my baby is immune after being shot early with measles?

Some infants who were vaccinated 12 months ago, particularly when: long-term protection is achieved:

• Maternal antibody levels are low
• The vaccine was administered between 9 and 11 months of age

There are no widely available or affordable tests to determine whether a baby has developed a strong enough response to the initial dose. Tests to assess immune responses – High-capacity antibodies and T-cell activation are available only in research settings and are not reliable enough to guide clinical decisions. Therefore, it is safest to receive the standard two doses after your baby is 12 months old.

When do you photograph early measles?

Here are some reasons why you might want to consider vaccinating your baby before measles is 12 months old:

• Geographical location and exposure risk: Are there any confirmed cases of measles in your city or state? Are you traveling to a place with an outbreak?
• Community Vaccination Compensation: Is your daycare, school, or local community receiving high vaccination rates? Does your baby spend daily time with unvaccinated children and adults?
• Infant Age and Health: Infants between 6 and 11 months are eligible for early vaccination. This is not the case for babies under 6 months old. Their best protection is to avoid high-risk settings.

If you and your pediatrician agree that the early dose is appropriate, you should also discuss plans to complete the full vaccine series.

How does the outbreak of measles end?

Measles is preventable. There is a safe and highly effective vaccine. The reason this virus spreads in the US in 2025 is because enough people have not been vaccinated.

My hope is that this outbreak will be vaccinated on time and soon end as more unvaccinated people catch up. Until then, consider whether you are a parent of a baby under 12 months old and you live in an area with a measles case, or take early administering the measles vaccine.

Early doses may not have been part of your original plan, but given what we are facing now, it may be the right choice.