Daily Dose: Measles

In this edition of Daily Dose, Dr. Lacy Anderson answers viewers' questions about whether they need a measles booster shot.

Anderson said about 20% of measles cases will result in hospitalization, and about 1% of cases will result in death.

She said doctors in Oklahoma typically give children the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, when they’re a year old, and a booster vaccine is given at ages 4-5.

If you were born before 1957, you are considered immune because you likely had measles or were exposed as a child.

She said that if you’ve had one MMR vaccine, it is 93% effective, and if you’ve had two vaccines, it is 97% effective.

If you have had at least one measles vaccine, you are considered immune, and the CDC does not recommend a booster shot at this time.

If you were born after 1957 and are unsure if you have received a measles vaccine, the CDC recommends either getting an MMR vaccine or checking your immunity status with a blood test.