Information about measles in Utah
As cases are reported, public health officials in Utah investigate to identify individuals who are at risk of infection and any locations where possible exposures may have occurred.
Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure. People who have a high fever (101°F (39°C) or higher) and a cough, runny nose, or red eyes may have early stages of measles. A rash will usually appear after 4 days of fever. If you do develop symptoms you should stay away from other people and call your healthcare provider. Call first before you go to a clinic or hospital to prevent other people from exposure.
Should your child get a measles vaccine early because measles is in Utah?
We strongly encourage at least 1 dose of MMR for all people older than 1 year of age, even if they have not been exposed to someone with measles. We consider the risk for measles to the general public to be low since Utah has only a small number of measles cases and it is not spreading in the general community. As a result, we don't recommend early vaccination for infants in Utah.
However, infants who are 6 to 11 months of age should get an early dose if they are traveling internationally, on domestic flights, or to areas in the U.S. where measles is actively spreading. Talk to your child’s doctor about getting an early dose if you are traveling to any of these areas. Any infant who gets a dose before 12 months old will need to get 2 later doses in accordance with the standard vaccination schedule at 12–15 months and then a dose at 4–6 years.
Young children can get their second MMR dose before 4 years old. The protection after 1 dose is very good, so at this time Utah Department of Health and Human Services is not recommending giving an early second dose of MMR. Parents who are concerned could discuss this option with their doctor.
Do you need to get a booster shot because measles is in Utah?
Not if you are up-to-date with your measles vaccinations. Most people born after 1957 need 2 doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected against measles.
Talk to a healthcare provider about getting another dose of the MMR vaccine if you were born after 1957 or vaccinated before 1968. The majority of people born before 1957 are likely to have been infected with measles and therefore are presumed to be protected. An older type of vaccine was used between 1963 and 1967 but it did not provide immunity that lasted very long. Anyone who got a measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967 is considered unvaccinated. These people should get a MMR shot.
We recommend everyone make sure you are protected against measles.
You are considered to be protected against measles if at least 1 of the following applies to you:
- You have a written record of your vaccine history and it shows you are up-to-date on the number of doses you need for your age.
- You are considered up-to-date with 1 dose of MMR vaccine if you are:
- Preschool aged (older than 12 months but not in kindergarten yet).
- An adult who is NOT in high school, college, or another post-high school educational institution, NOT a healthcare worker, and NOT traveling internationally or to a place with an active measles travel advisory.
- Age 6 to 12 months AND traveling internationally, on domestic flights, or to areas in the U.S. where measles is actively spreading.
- You are considered up-to date with 2 doses of MMR vaccine (separated by 28 days) if you are:
- In kindergarten through grade 12.
- Attending college or another post-high school educational institution.
- A healthcare worker.
- Older than 12 months AND traveling internationally, on domestic flights, or to areas in the U.S. where measles is actively spreading.
- You have lab results that show enough measles antibodies in your blood (laboratory evidence of immunity).
- You have lab results that show you have had a measles infection in the past.
- Verbal history of measles does not count.
- You were born before 1957 (people born before 1957 have most likely had measles in the past and are considered immune).
Talk to a doctor if you have questions about whether you are protected against measles.
What are the vaccination rates in Utah?
Most states look at how many kindergarten students have an exemption for the measles vaccine to measure measles vaccination rates.
During the 2024/2025 school year:
- About 10% of in-person kindergarten students in Utah had an exemption for the MMR vaccine or were missing documentation to show they are vaccinated against measles.
- 9.0% of in-person kindergarten students in Utah had an exemption to any school-required vaccine.
- 10.1% of all students in Utah had an exemption to any school-required vaccine, including students in online schools.
You can look up the immunization coverage rates for children in Utah on the Utah Statistics page of the immunization program website. The immunization dashboard school vaccine exemption tab contains statewide and school-specific immunization data. You can also find reports that show trends in school vaccine exemptions for the past 10 years.
