The Center for Disease Control has a new letter to providers to help clarify recommendations for adult MMR vaccination and assessing immunity. The letter addresses the following important points:
- Providers do not need to actively screen adult patients for measles immunity. This is because of high population immunity and low risk of disease among adults in non-outbreak areas in the U.S.
- Providers should make sure patients have measles protection before international travel. U.S. residents traveling internationally are at high risk for acquiring measles abroad. They can also transmit measles to susceptible persons, such as infants, when they return home.
- If a patient is traveling internationally and measles immunity is unknown, providers should vaccinate, unless there are contradictions. Serologic testing for measles immunity is not recommended.
- During outbreaks, providers should consult with local health departments for the most up-to-date recommendations for their community. This may include additional doses of MMR for patients.
