Infants & the MMR Vaccine
Hello families!
We’ve been getting a lot of questions about measles and whether infants should get the MMR vaccine early. Here’s what we recommend based on CDC and state public health guidance.
Where measles has been reported recently
• South Carolina: A large measles outbreak is ongoing in the Upstate region, centered around Spartanburg County.
• North Carolina: North Carolina has had multiple measles cases since December 2025, with public health posting exposure locations in several counties (including Buncombe, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Nash, and Polk). Case counts and exposure locations can change as investigations continue.
The routine (normal) MMR vaccine schedule is still the best protection
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is highly effective. The routine schedule is:
• Dose #1: 12–15 months
• Dose #2: 4–6 years
We strongly encourage all children to stay on the routine schedule unless your clinician recommends an adjusted schedule for travel or exposure risk.
When an “early” MMR dose is recommended for infants
• Infants younger than 6 months: MMR is not recommended.
• Infants 6 months through 11 months: An early MMR dose is recommended if your infant will be traveling to, through, or spending time in an area with an ongoing measles outbreak (or an area where the health department recommends early MMR). This includes travel to the South Carolina Upstate outbreak area and travel to North Carolina counties where recent cases/exposures have been reported.
Important: An early dose does NOT replace the routine series
If your child receives an early MMR dose between 6 and 11 months of age, they still need:
• A routine dose at 12–15 months, AND
• A routine dose at 4–6 years
(That early dose is extra protection for a higher-risk period, but it does not count as the first routine dose.)
What to do if you’re unsure:
If you have an infant 6–11 months old and you’re planning travel (even a short trip or passing through an area where measles has been identified), please contact our office. We can review your itinerary, your child’s age, and vaccine history and help you decide whether early MMR is recommended.
Thank you for choosing Living Well Pediatrics!
