Measles

A Reminder about Measles Vaccine Requirement for Students:

UD requires incoming students to provide evidence of immunity to measles via two prior vaccines or antibody titers showing immunity. UD students can confirm their measles immunity status in the “Medical Clearances” section of the UD Health Portal. For questions, students can send a message to “Immunizations” through their UD Health Portal or call Student Health at 302-831-2226.

For Everyone:

If you were born before January 1, 1957:

You are considered to have natural immunity. No additional action is required. You can consider contacting your healthcare provider for definitive antibody testing, if desired.

I have documentation that I am protected against measles:

Be sure your documents meet the CDC criteria for documentation of immunity to measles. You must demonstrate one of the following:

• Immunization records showing two prior doses of MMR vaccine or measles vaccine. (The first dose must be at age 12 months or after to qualify)
  • If you received your measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967, you should consider receiving additional doses because the vaccine given at that time was not as effective.
• Laboratory report showing positive antibody titers against measles

I think I am protected against measles, but I don’t have documentation:

If you do not have immunization records or an antibody titer lab report, you have two options:

1. Get a measles antibody titer blood test
   1. Students - through Student Health Services
   2. Faculty and Staff - through your Primary Care Provider
2. Get and keep records of two doses of measles (MMR) vaccine
   1. Students - through Student Health Services or a local pharmacy
   2. Faculty and Staff - through your Primary Care Provider or a local pharmacy

I know that I’m not protected against measles:

To prevent contracting measles, you should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine.

• Students can receive their vaccines through Student Health Services or a local pharmacy
• Faculty and Staff - through your Primary Care Provider or local pharmacy

If you have documentation of two prior measles vaccines, you do not need a measles antibody titer. 

Measles antibody testing requires an order from a healthcare provider. 

• Measles antibody testing is available for students at Student Health Services. Appointments are required (302-831-2226, Option 1)
• Measles antibody testing is available for faculty and staff through your primary care provider.

If you have documentation of two prior measles vaccines, you do not need any additional MMR vaccine. The exception to this is if you received your measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967 because the vaccine given at that time was not as effective.

You do not need a prescription for an MMR vaccine. Check with your local pharmacy and your healthcare provider to see if you can walk in to receive a vaccine or if you need an appointment

MMR vaccines are available for students at Student Health Services. Appointments are required (302-831-2226, Option 1). Vaccines are also available at local pharmacies.

MMR vaccines are available for faculty and staff through their primary care provider or local pharmacies.

MMR vaccines are safe. The MMR vaccine is recommended for all individuals: children, adolescents and adults. Most MMR vaccines are given in childhood, prior to kindergarten. One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles. Two doses are 97% effective at preventing measles.

There are limited scenarios where MMR vaccination is not recommended. If you have concerns about the MMR vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider.

Measles is a contagious respiratory virus that can infect 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed. The measles virus can linger in the air for up to two hours and can spread easily through coughing and sneezing. It can take 7–21 days to develop symptoms from the time someone is exposed to measles. 

People who have prior immunity to measles are well-protected from contracting measles even if they are exposed.

The initial symptoms of measles are nonspecific: high fever (often 103–104°F), chills, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash a few days later. The rash typically starts on the face/head and spreads downward to the chest, back, abdomen, arms and legs. 

If you think you may have measles, you should call a healthcare provider first. Do not go to a healthcare facility without calling ahead to tell them you think you have measles. This will help protect you, other patients and healthcare staff.

If you think you’ve been exposed to measles, call your healthcare provider. 

• Students can call Student Health at 302-831-2226.
• Faculty and staff should call their primary care provider.
• It can take up to 21 days after being exposed to measles to start to show symptoms.

If you have evidence of prior immunity to measles (via two measles vaccines or positive antibody titers), it is highly unlikely that you will contract measles after an exposure. For this reason, you would not have to quarantine after an exposure. You should monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days and contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms develop. UD students can check their measles immunity status in the “Medical Clearances” of the UD Health Portal. 

If you do not have evidence of prior immunity (no prior vaccine and no prior evidence of positive antibody titers), you may need to quarantine for 21 days due to your risk of contracting the virus. 

Quarantine means not being around other people, including no in-person activities such as going to class, work, dining halls and residence halls. You should monitor for symptoms of measles during your 21 day quarantine and contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms develop. Call the healthcare facility before you go in to tell them you have been exposed to measles.

If you were exposed to measles within the past 72 hours, you may be eligible to receive a measles (MMR) vaccine and would not need to quarantine. This vaccine must be given within 72 hours of the exposure for it to be effective. 

If you think you may have measles, call your healthcare provider right away. Do not go to a healthcare facility without calling ahead to tell them that you may have measles. This will help protect you, other patients, and healthcare staff. 

• Students can call Student Health Services at 302-831-2226. 

• Faculty and staff should call their primary care provider. 

You should avoid public transportation, and wear a mask when you enter a healthcare facility.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Treatment is supportive, including rest, fluids, and medications for fever (acetaminophen and ibuprofen). Antibiotics are not effective against measles, as measles is a virus, not a bacteria.

Measles can cause serious complications and can be fatal. About one in five people with measles will require hospitalization. The most common complications include ear infections, dehydration, pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling) and death. 

Long term complications include subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but deadly disease of the central nervous system.