We’ve been getting questions about who needs a measles booster since measles cases are currently on the rise. The American Academy of Pediatrics has great information for parents.
Here’s some helpful info from the WSJ 3/17/25 article:
If you were born before 1957: You are considered protected because measles was so widespread that you were undoubtedly infected as a child. (Don’t doubt your foggy memory, you probably wouldn’t remember since most people got it as children.)
If you were born between 1957 and 1962: The guidance is unclear. Doctors say many of these people either had measles, or got the vaccine as young children when it came out in 1963. Try checking your records. There is no downside in getting a new shot if you are unsure.
If you were born between 1963 and 1967 and you received an inactivated version of the vaccine—which wasn’t very effective: You should get the current MMR vaccine.
If you were born between 1963 and 1989 and got one dose of the vaccine: You are protected in most circumstances and don’t need a second dose.
If you were born after 1989 and your parents followed the standard vaccine schedule: You got two doses of the vaccine and can sit pretty (until recent years, vaccine exemptions for kindergartners were rare). Rest assured, you are very protected.
Dr. Paul Offit, professor of pediatrics in the division of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, says if you were born between 1963 and 1967 and can’t track down which version of the vaccine you got, it’s a good idea to get vaccinated again.