Measles

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Health Update: Measles Cases in Vermont - November 10, 2026

On November 9, 2026, the Vermont Department of Health confirmed a small number of measles cases in Orleans County.

Current risk: The health risk to the general public in Vermont is low at this time because most Vermonters are vaccinated against measles.

What you can do: Check to make sure you and your family are vaccinated, especially children. This is particularly important if you plan to travel outside the U.S., or to any area in the U.S. currently known to be experiencing a measles outbreak.

What we are doing: We are offering testing and vaccination, providing guidance and communicating with the cases, working with local hospitals and healthcare providers, and continuing to monitor the situation.

Key Facts about Measles

Measles spreads very easily and can be serious. It can lead to complications like pneumonia, brain swelling, and hospitalization, especially for young children.
Vaccination is the best protection. The MMR vaccine prevents measles and its complications. Getting measles is much riskier than getting the vaccine.
Some people rely on others for protection. Babies and people with weakened immune systems may not be fully protected and depend on those around them to help prevent spread.
Measles is still common in many parts of the world. It can be brought into the U.S. through international travel. Children may need measles vaccination earlier than usual before traveling.
Even in Vermont, measles can spread quickly. Most people are protected, but outbreaks can happen in communities with lower vaccination rates.

Measles in Vermont

Vermont has reported less than five cases so far in 2026; two cases in 2025; two cases in 2024; and two cases in the decade prior (2011 and 2018).

Most children in Vermont public and independent schools (94%) are fully vaccinated against measles before entering kindergarten (school immunization survey data). This data doesn't include children who are homeschooled or not yet enrolled in school. It takes 95% to reach community immunity.

Planning to travel outside the U.S.? Talk to your health care provider to make sure you and your family are protected against measles. Children may need vaccination earlier than usual before traveling.

The Best Protection: MMR Vaccine

The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR is one of the most protective vaccines we have.

Two doses are about 97% effective
One dose is about 93% effective

Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine. In Vermont, MMR vaccination is required before children enter child care (depending on age) or start kindergarten.

The first dose is given at 12 to 15 months of age
The second dose is given at 4 through 6 years of age.
Infants 6 to 11 months old who are traveling internationally should get an early dose of the MMR vaccine at least two weeks before travel.

Find out if you're protected against measles

How it Spreads

Measles is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. An infected person will spread measles to about 90% of the people, who are not immune, that they come into contact with.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start 7-14 days after contact with the virus. Common symptoms include:

High fever
Cough
Runny nose
Red and watery eyes
A rash (warning: contains graphic medical images) usually appears three to five days after the first symptoms

Complications

Some people may suffer from severe complications, like pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who get measles without being vaccinated are hospitalized.

Measles can also cause long-term complications that develop years after infection.

Treatment

There is no treatment for measles. People with measles need bed rest, fluids, and medication to control their fevers. They may also need medical care for complications or serious illness.

How to Get Vaccinated

Measles vaccines are free in Vermont. Call your health care provider to get vaccinated. If you don't have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 to be connected to care, or contact the nearest federally qualified health center or one of Vermont's Free & Referral Clinics.

For most people, their health insurance will cover the cost of getting vaccinated.
For people who don't have health insurance, or who have insurance that doesn't cover the cost of vaccines (less common), the Health Department can cover the cost of the vaccine directly to the provider.
- Health care providers can charge a small fee to give the vaccine.
- Talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated to find out how much it may cost. Some practices offer a sliding scale.
If you don't have health insurance and are under the age of 65, you can make an appointment at your Local Health Office to get vaccinated. Local health offices don't charge a fee for giving the vaccine.

It's OK to have questions about vaccines.

Many people may have questions and concerns about vaccines. Asking questions helps you make the best choices for yourself and your family. Your doctor or pharmacist can provider answers and help you decide which vaccines are right for you.

The Health Department's Role

Even one case of measles requires a significant public health response. The Health Department team:

Works with places where people might have been exposed to measles to notify those who were exposed and check if they’re protected.
Offers free vaccines to anyone who is not already protected against measles.
Coordinates antibody treatments to people who are at higher risk of getting very sick, like young children or people who are immunocompromised.
Checks in with people who were around someone with measles regularly to see if they develop symptoms.
Supports people who need to stay home and away from others with things like getting groceries or medicines, if needed.
Keeps health care providers, partners and the public informed while maintaining people's privacy.

Check your vaccine records for MMR or MMRV.

If you don't have documentation, contact your health care provider or request your vaccination records through your state’s vaccination record system.

Request Vermont vaccine records

Adults, wondering if you are protected against measles?

If you were born before 1957, you are likely protected against measles.
If you were born in 1957 or later:
- You are protected from measles if you have received either 1 or 2 doses of MMR or MMRV vaccine.
- Some people do need 2 doses of MMR or MMRV: students at post-high school education institutions, health care personnel, international travelers, close contacts of immunocompromised people, and people with HIV infection.
If you were vaccinated in the 1960s:
- An inactivated measles vaccine was used from 1963 to 1967. This vaccine was not effective. If you were vaccinated before 1968 with either an inactivated measles vaccine, or measles vaccine of unknown type, you should receive at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. You should receive two if you have the risk factors listed above.
If you don’t have evidence of immunity, and have no health reasons to avoid the MMR vaccine, you can be vaccinated. You do not need to have immune titers checked. There is no harm in giving the MMR vaccine to someone who may already be immune.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is vitamin A used for?

You may be hearing lots of information about how to protect your child from measles and it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s not true. Here’s what’s true about vitamin A and measles, from HealthyChildren.org:

Vitamins and supplements, including cod liver oil and vitamin A, do not prevent measles.

It is true that vitamin A may be used by a doctor when treating a child with measles. There is evidence – from countries where vitamin A deficiency is a major public health issue (not the U.S.) – that giving certain amounts of vitamin A by a provider can lower the risk of death among children with measles who do not have enough vitamin A.

Too much vitamin A can cause serious health problems.

Do not give your child vitamin A or any supplements, unless your doctor prescribes it. Too much vitamin A can be dangerous and can lead to liver damage and other serious issues. Vitamin A is not well regulated in the U.S. It is not tested for consistency or purity. So, it’s not always possible to know how much you are giving. Most children get enough vitamin A in their diet. Talk to your doctor before giving vitamin A or any other supplements to your child.

Cod liver oil has high amounts of vitamin A, much higher than the recommended daily amounts. Too much cod liver oil can make children sick. It’s also high in vitamin D—another nutrient that can be dangerous if children take more than the recommended daily amount. Do not give your child cod liver oil, unless your doctor prescribes it.

The measles vaccine is the absolute best way to prevent measles.

In fact, one dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective. The measles vaccine has been around for a long time. It doesn't change from year to year. And it’s the reason why measles was almost completely eliminated from the U.S. As a routine childhood vaccine, most parents choose to protect their children through vaccination.

Tips for navigating health information online

What should I do if I think I've been exposed to measles?

Call your doctor right away to let them know you may have been exposed to someone who has measles. They will let you know what steps to take next. If you do not have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 to be connected to care, or contact the nearest federally qualified health center or one of Vermont's Free & Referral Clinics.

I’m traveling to another country. What should I do to prepare?

Before you travel, tell your doctor where you are traveling. Babies and children may need measles vaccination at a younger age than usual. Plan to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before international travel.
After you travel, call your doctor if anyone gets a fever and rash within three weeks of returning from your trip.

For more information on making sure you and your family are protected before traveling internationally, visit Plan for Travel - Measles (CDC).

What should I do to prepare my child for summer camp in Vermont?

There are no state vaccination requirements for attending summer camp but camps may have their own. The Health Department recommends that campers and staff receive the recommended dose(s) of MMR vaccine prior to arrival and bring documentation with them.

I operate a summer camp in Vermont. What can I do to limit the risk of measles?

There are no state vaccination requirements for campers or staff but camps may enact their own. Two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended for all school-age children. All adults born in 1957 or later should have at least one dose.

The Health Department recommends summer camps maintain a list of those with and without documentation of MMR vaccination. This documentation will aid in controlling the spread of disease and avoid quarantining or excluding campers if an outbreak occurs.

Preparing and Responding to Measles: Checklist for Summer Camps (CDC)