NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials now recommend that all Americans traveling abroad receive measles vaccinations, regardless of their destination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously stressed vaccination mainly for those visiting countries with active measles outbreaks. However, the agency updated its guidance last week, urging immunization for all international travelers due to growing concerns about how the virus spreads during transit.
Ashley Darcy-Mahoney, a nursing researcher at George Washington University, said the change is important. She pointed to a recent measles outbreak in Colorado that began with an international flight into Denver.
“Transmission is no longer limited to certain countries,” she said. “We’re seeing more cases spread during air travel itself. The CDC’s updated advice reflects that risk.”
Under the new travel notice, the CDC recommends two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine for everyone aged 1 and older. Infants between 6 and 11 months should receive an early dose before traveling.
So far in 2025, the U.S. has reported more than 1,000 measles cases.
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