Measles Is More Than ‘Just a Rash’ January 13, 2026 Measles isn’t simply a childhood illness. It’s one of the most contagious viruses known, with possible life-threatening impacts. Before vaccines, measles killed an estimated 2.6 million people worldwide every year. Highly contagious, it infects about 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus, making outbreaks swift and severe. “Recovering from measles can give lifelong immunity, but it comes with serious risk,” said Adam Brady, MD, medical director of Samaritan Infectious Disease in Corvallis. “Before the vaccine, millions of Americans caught measles yearly, thousands were hospitalized and hundreds died, mostly young children.” Vaccination for measles is highly effective. Beginning in the early 1960s a coordinated effort delivered the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to the U.S. population. Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. However, after nearly a quarter of century the easily preventable disease has returned to the U.S., primarily because the vaccination rate for children has decreased. Measles Complications The majority of people infected with measles recover within a week or two. However, the CDC notes risks of complications from measles infection: Hospitalization. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles is hospitalized. Pneumonia. As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children. Encephalitis. About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain). This can lead to convulsions and leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability. Death. Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications. Complications during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have not had the MMR vaccine, measles may cause premature birth or babies with low-birthweight. Serious complications can also include blindness, severe diarrhea, ear infections and chronic breathing issues. Prevention The MMR vaccine offers 97% protection after two doses, with mild side effects and an exceptional safety record spanning over 50 years and a billion doses worldwide. The CDC recommends starting measles vaccination for children at 12 to 15 months of age. Vaccinating children also protects infants who are still too young for the vaccine, reducing community risk. “When our community is vaccinated, it builds protective immunity keeping the most vulnerable people in our community safer and healthier,” Dr. Brady said.
