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69 yr old In middle of measles outbreak, do I need MMR?
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: Nov 20, 2025 | Replies (3)Comment receiving replies
Hi @rhinehaj. Measles is highly contagious and it is now picking up across the country. You’re wise to be concerned because measles, though considered a childhood disease, can have some serious complications in children and adults
From what I’ve gathered over this past year is that older adults who were born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968 should get a booster. People born before 1957 are assumed to have natural immunity because the measles vaccines were developed in the 1960s. Before that time, nearly everyone got the disease during childhood.
It’s not too late to get the MMR vaccine. It can offer protection in about 2 weeks. However, before getting the vaccine you might want to talk to your primary care provider to see if you need the booster. You could also have a titer run (blood test) to see if you have antibodies present which would spare you from getting the vaccination.
You’re 69, so you were born 1956 and certainly in the window of having natural immunity. I’m 2 years older and vividly remember being so ill with measles. Do you recall having the measles?
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@loribmt Yes I think I remember having it because I was in a dark room because my eyes were sensitive to light after I started recovering, they kept the curtains closed and wouldn’t let me leave the room, even though I was beginning to feel better and wanted to get out and do things. I was too young to remember much more about it. I do remember my father was very glad when vaccines were available, I remember getting the polio vaccine when it first came out. My mother once said I had German measles and Scarlet fever. But I was worried since this outbreak now might infect me and I might pass it on without knowing. I’m doing food deliveries around town, so I’m coming into contact with a lot of different people in different places. We recently had several people diagnosed who had no known contact with an infected person. I don’t want to pass it on if I have come into contact with it without knowing, and I don’t know if the insurance would pay for for the test for antibodies. I’ll ask my doctors office.