As an approximately 85‑year‑old male born before 1957 with a positive measles IgG (immunoglobulin G) serology eight years ago, should I receive a measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine now during the current U.S. measles outbreak?

No, You Do Not Need MMR Vaccination

As an 85-year-old male born before 1957 with documented positive measles IgG serology from eight years ago, you do not need MMR vaccination, even during the current measles outbreak. 1, 2, 3

Why You Are Already Protected

Birth Year Presumption

• Adults born before 1957 are generally presumed immune to measles, mumps, and rubella due to natural infection during childhood, even without documented disease history. 1, 3
• The CDC and ACIP consider this birth cohort to have acquired natural immunity during the pre-vaccine era when these diseases were endemic. 1

Laboratory-Confirmed Immunity

• Your positive measles IgG test from eight years ago constitutes definitive laboratory evidence of immunity. 2, 3
• The CDC explicitly states that adults with laboratory evidence of immunity do not require MMR vaccination. 3
• Laboratory evidence of immunity is considered reliable and sufficient, eliminating the need for revaccination. 3

Duration of Immunity

Long-Term Protection

• Measles immunity, whether from natural infection or vaccination, is generally lifelong and does not require boosting. 4, 5
• Studies demonstrate that measles neutralizing antibodies persist for decades, with protection maintained even when antibody levels decline somewhat over time. 5
• Your documented immunity from eight years ago remains valid—there is no time limit after which previously confirmed immunity expires. 3

Current Outbreak Context

No Change in Recommendation

• Even during measles outbreaks, the guidelines do not recommend vaccination for persons with documented laboratory evidence of immunity. 2, 3
• The outbreak situation changes recommendations only for susceptible individuals (those born after 1957 without evidence of immunity or certain high-risk groups). 1, 2

Important Caveats

When Vaccination Might Be Considered

• Healthcare facilities may consider MMR vaccination for unvaccinated workers born before 1957 who lack laboratory evidence of immunity—but this does not apply to you since you have documented immunity. 2
• The key distinction is that you have laboratory-confirmed immunity, which removes you from any consideration for vaccination. 3

No Benefit, Potential Unnecessary Risk

• Revaccinating someone with documented immunity provides no additional benefit. 3
• While MMR vaccine is generally safe, there is no medical rationale for administering it to someone already immune. 4