From the Research
For a 70-year-old individual during an ongoing measles outbreak in the United States, a measles booster shot is generally not recommended, as adults born before 1957 are typically considered immune to measles due to likely natural infection as children. However, if there are concerns about immunity status, especially in areas with active outbreaks or for those planning international travel, checking measles antibody levels through a blood test can be considered. If testing shows the individual is not immune, a single dose of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine would be appropriate, given the vaccine's safety for older adults without contraindications like severe immunocompromise or pregnancy, as noted in general vaccination guidelines 1. Key considerations include the fact that natural measles infection typically confers lifelong immunity, and those born before widespread vaccination likely encountered the virus naturally. The most recent and relevant guidelines for vaccination practices, including those for older adults, emphasize the importance of evidence-based recommendations, such as those provided by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 1, which are crucial for guiding clinical decisions on vaccinations, including the MMR vaccine. Given the context of an ongoing outbreak, prioritizing the prevention of measles complications in susceptible individuals is paramount, and recommendations should align with the latest evidence on vaccine efficacy and safety in older adults. In the absence of specific, high-quality evidence directly addressing measles booster shots in 70-year-old individuals during outbreaks, the general principle of prioritizing natural immunity and considering vaccination only for those without evidence of immunity remains a guiding principle 1. Thus, the approach should focus on assessing immunity and vaccinating only those who are not immune, ensuring that the benefits of vaccination in preventing measles and its complications are maximized while minimizing unnecessary vaccine administration.