CDC recommends extra measles vaccine shot for travelers amid outbreaks

In early April 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated vaccination guidelines in response to a significant rise in measles cases across the United States. Reports indicate that more than 600 measles cases have surfaced in 21 states, marking the highest number since the 2019 outbreak. The advisory specifically targets travelers to areas experiencing ongoing outbreaks, particularly counties in Texas and Kansas. The CDC's guidance highlights the necessity for both adults and children to receive additional doses of the measles vaccine, ensuring those unvaccinated or having only one dose are adequately protected against the highly contagious virus. The recommendation emphasizes that visitors to regions with confirmed outbreaks should be vaccinated based on local health authority guidelines. Infants under 12 months are advised to receive their first dose earlier than usual, followed by two more doses, while children aged over 12 months must receive an earlier second dose if they already had one. The changing landscape of measles cases in the U.S.—previously deemed under control—has led health officials to reassess vaccination strategies to prevent further outbreaks. Health officials and departments are tasked with sharing this updated guidance to mitigate the spread of measles, a disease that had seen a resurgence in recent years, linked to lower vaccination rates and increased misinformation about vaccine safety. Historically, the CDC maintained that one dose of the measles vaccine sufficed for most adults, aligning with vaccination protocols established for international travel. Now, however, due to a rise in domestic outbreaks, the CDC is stressing the importance of reevaluating previous vaccination status, particularly for adults and teenagers. While the conditions prompting this revised guidance remain unclear, it underscores a broader concern regarding public health infrastructure's ability to respond to emerging infectious diseases. Despite the growing cases, the CDC has stated there are no recommendations for a third dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine during these outbreaks. The CDC continues to recommend vaccination following local health authorities' protocols to ensure community protection during this critical period.