Measles vaccine

The measles vaccine protects you from the virus that causes measles. It is given as a combination vaccine. This means the vaccine also protects against mumps and rubella, and sometimes varicella (chickenpox).

The vaccine you get depends on your age, your vaccine needs, and the specific vaccine products that are available.

• MMR II® (Merck & Co.)
• Priorix® (GlaxoSmithKline)
• Priorix-Tetra® (GlaxoSmithKline)
• ProQuad® (Merck & Co.)

One (1) dose of measles vaccine given at 12 months of age is estimated to be 85% to 95% effective. A second dose given to children 4-6 years of age increases the effectiveness to nearly 100% and provides lifelong protection.

In general, everyone should get the measles vaccine.

The measles vaccine is part of Ontario’s routine immunization program and is provided free to eligible individuals.

Children in Ontario should get their first dose at 12 months of age, and their second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. Two doses provides very high level of protection and lifelong immunity.

You are considered up to date and protected if ANY of the following apply to you:

• You are 12 months to under 4 years of age and have 1 dose of the measles vaccine
• You are 4 years to under 18 years of age and have 2 doses of the measles vaccine
• You are an adult born in or after 1970 and have 1 dose of the measles vaccine
• You are an adult born before 1970 (you are assumed to have immunity from past infection)
• You have a history of laboratory-confirmed infection or laboratory evidence of immunity (blood work showing antibodies to the measles).

Some people may need another dose. See Do I need an extra dose of the measles vaccine?

Some individuals may need an additional dose of the measles vaccine.

Infants 6 to 11 months

• One (1) dose of the vaccine may be given early if the infant is at risk of being exposed to measles (for example, travelling to an area that is considered high-risk, even within Ontario).
• This does not replace the routine doses of the vaccine when they are 1 year old and again between 4 and 6 years old.

Adults born in or after 1970

• Most adults would be protected from 1 dose received in childhood.
• You may need a second dose if you are a health care worker, a student in post-secondary settings, military personnel, or if you are travelling outside of Canada.

Adults born before 1970

• You are assumed to have natural immunity from a previous infection.
• You may be eligible for 1 dose of the measles vaccine if you are travelling outside of Canada.
• You may be eligible for 2 doses if you are a health care worker or military personnel.

Please consult your health care provider to see if an additional dose is suitable for you and your children.

You should not get the measles vaccine if:

• You have had a serious allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine or to a previous dose
• You are pregnant

Your health care provider will ask about your health and allergies before giving you any vaccine to make sure it is safe for you.

After getting the vaccine, you might have mild side effects, but they usually go away in 1 or 2 days. Some people can be allergic to the vaccine, just like they can be allergic to certain foods or medication.

Learn about common vaccine side effects and what to do if they happen.

Yes. In Ontario, children must have the measles vaccine to attend school and licensed child care centres.

You might also need this vaccine to work in places like health care, child care, and other settings.

Learn more about the vaccinations that are required to attend school and child care.

Reporting vaccinations

For children attending school or daycare:

• Parents and guardians must report vaccinations to Public Health to keep records up to date.
• If your child has a vaccine exemption based on medical or conscience reasons, or religious belief, parents and guardians must submit signed statements to Public Health.

Cost

The measles vaccine is free for anyone who needs it. It is publicly funded, which means there is no cost to you, no matter where you get the vaccine in Ontario, whether it’s in a hospital, walk-in clinic, health care provider’s office, or public health.

See the full list of Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario (PDF).

Risks and benefits

In Ontario, measles has been rare in the past due to high immunization coverage, but we are now seeing some cases again due to an increase in measles globally. A strong immunization program and high vaccine coverage helps us stay safe from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.

When vaccine coverage drops, even for a short amount of time, our protection as a community weakens, and the risk of outbreaks increases. Because measles is very infectious, a high coverage rate is needed to achieve herd (community) immunity, which reduces the likeliness of transmission in the community. Keeping up routine immunizations is essential to protect yourself, your family and your community.

If you have any special health concerns, talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of getting vaccinated. Learn more about special considerations before being vaccinated.

• Government of Ontario, About measles
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Travel health advice
• Public Health Ontario: Measles Exposures in Ontario
• See our list of helpful websites for information about vaccination.
• Contact us.