Measles Vaccine

Read the measles vaccine recommendations for all age groups from the Iowa Dept. of Health & Human Services, including handling measles in schools.

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Measles Vaccine Schedule & Recommendations

Measles Vaccine Recommendations - July 2024
Age or statusRecommendations
Under one year of age

Under routine circumstances MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccine is not recommended for children under 12 months of age. 

Due to a locally-acquired case of measles not linked to other known cases, an accelerated MMR vaccination schedule should be considered. Iowans should discuss with their healthcare provider to consider: 

  • An early extra dose of MMR between 6 and 11 months of age (“dose 0”); this dose does NOT count toward the routine series. Subsequent doses should follow CDC’s recommended childhood schedule:
    • Another dose at 12 through 15 months of age; and
    • A final dose at 4 through 6 years of age.
1-6 years of ageThe first dose of MMR vaccine is recommended at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR vaccine is routinely recommended at 4-6 years of age. The second routine dose (dose 2) can be given at least 28 days after dose 1, instead of waiting until age 4–6 years. If both doses are needed for catch-up, they should be given at least 28 days apart.
7-19 years of ageChildren who have not received two doses of MMR vaccine should receive the vaccine. If both doses of vaccine are needed for catch-up, the doses should be given at least 28 days apart.
Adults - 20 years of age and older

Anyone born after 1957 should be able to produce documentation of receiving a live-attenuated measles containing vaccine. 

Anyone without documentation of a measles containing vaccine who is in doubt about their vaccine status should receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine. 

Healthcare personnel, international travelers, and university students should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

Pregnant womenPregnant women should not receive the MMR vaccine.
People exposed to measles

People exposed to measles should receive MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure if they are: 

  • Not fully vaccinated or had measles, and
  • Born after 1957, and
  • Over six months of age, and
  • Not pregnant, and
  • Not immunocompromised
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International Travelers

The best protection against measles is if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following: 

  • Received one dose of measles-containing vaccine and are an infant aged 6–11 months
  • Received two doses of measles-containing vaccine and are 12 months or older
  • Laboratory confirmation of having measles at some point in your life
  • Laboratory confirmed that you are immune to measles
  • You were born before 1957
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K-12 School Requirements

Iowa law requires that all students be vaccinated with two doses of measles and rubella containing vaccine (MMR vaccine) at the time of enrollment (kindergarten or whenever students transfer into an Iowa school). 

To be considered valid, the first dose of MMR vaccine must be administered on or after one year of age, and the second dose must be administered at least 28 days after the first dose (usually given at four to six years of age).

Exemptions

Iowa law allows for the following exemptions: 

  • Religious exemptions: Religious exemption stating that immunization conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief. A notary signature is no longer required for a certificate of religious exemption to be valid. The exemption is valid for the entire length of time the student attends school (kindergarten through 12th grade).
  • Medical exemptions: Medical exemption stating that immunization would be injurious to the health and well-being of the applicant, or any member of the applicant’s family or household must be signed by an MD, DO, PA, or ARNP to be considered valid. Unless the MD, DO, PA, ARNP specifically lists an expiration date, the medical exemption is valid for the entire length of time the student attends school (kindergarten through 12th grade).

K-12 Staff Requirements

Iowa law does not address vaccination requirements for staff working at K-12 schools in Iowa. However, Iowa HHS recommends that all staff be fully vaccinated.

Learn more about measles vaccines and K-12 school handling.

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Boosters for Adults

CDC considers people who were vaccinated as children, according to the U.S. vaccination schedule, are protected for life and do not ever need a booster dose of MMR vaccine. 

Adults born before 1957 are protected due to previous infection. If you’re not sure whether you are fully vaccinated, talk with your healthcare provider or local public health agency.

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Immunization Record Request

Iowa’s Immunization Information System (IRIS) includes immunization records for patients of all ages.

  • Parents and legal guardians can access records on behalf of their children until the child turns 18 years of age.
  • Once an individual turns 18 years of age, that person’s parents can no longer request a record, but the legal adult may request the information directly.
  • Immunization records available in IRIS can be requested from any health care provider participating in IRIS or from Iowa's Immunization Program by completing the Record Request Form.
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