Are You Immune to Measles as Cases Climb Across the Americas?

Measles used to feel like a disease from your grandparents' era. A new warning from the World Health Organization's office for the Americas says the risk of it spreading across the region is now very high, and Canada is one of the countries driving the numbers.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued the warning on October 9, pointing to large religious gatherings in South America that will send many people travelling within and between countries in the coming months. Measles can spread before the rash appears, so a traveller can pass it on without knowing they are sick. If you have ever wondered whether you are immune to measles, this is a good season to find out.

Why Are Measles Cases in Canada and the Americas Climbing So Fast?

Between January 4 and October 3, PAHO counted 55,792 confirmed measles cases and 77 deaths across 17 countries and territories in the Americas, 4.8 times more than the same period in 2025. Just five countries account for 99.5 percent of those cases, and Canada is on that list alongside Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru.

Measles cases in the Americas are running nearly five times higher than in 2025, and vaccine coverage sits below the 95 percent needed.

The rise in measles cases in Canada has a backstory. After nearly three decades, Canada lost its measles elimination status in November 2025, when a year-long outbreak could not be brought under control. Stopping measles takes vaccination coverage of about 95 per cent, the level of herd immunity where so many people are protected that the virus runs out of new people to infect. Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist at McMaster University, told CTV News that Canada's rate is "significantly lower than it needs to be," and that measles can spread "very, very rapidly" through pockets of people with very high rates of non-vaccination. Medimap's earlier coverage of the measles outbreak in Canada explains how quickly those pockets can catch fire.

Who Is Most at Risk of Catching Measles in Canada?

For most Canadians, the personal risk is low, because most adults are already immune to measles one way or another. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital, said most people born after 1970 received one or two doses of measles vaccine, which provides "robust and long-standing protection," while most people born before 1970 had measles as children and are immune.

The people at real risk of catching measles are the ones without that protection. Bogoch called measles "a very transmissible infection" with "a knack for finding non-immune individuals," and said people who are unvaccinated, by choice or because they are too young, can catch it here at home too. "It's not a high risk, but it certainly is still there," he said.

Babies face the most serious danger. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends against measles-containing vaccines for infants under one year old, although children as young as six months who are travelling to places with outbreaks may get one early. Bowdish said measles is especially dangerous for people who are pregnant and unvaccinated, because it "can be deadly for the baby and really harmful for the mother."

How Do You Check Your Measles Vaccine Status?

Start by digging out your vaccination record or checking your province's online immunization records, and look for the measles vaccine, often listed as MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). If you cannot find it or you are unsure of your measles vaccine status, a family doctor, nurse practitioner, walk-in clinic, or public health unit can help, and a virtual doctor visit can be a quick place to start. Whether a vaccine is covered can depend on your age and province, which our explainer on paying out of pocket for a vaccine walks through.

Planning a trip with a baby between six months and one year old to a place with an outbreak? Ask your doctor well before you leave whether an early dose makes sense, and see our guide to health risks Canadians face when travelling. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and unsure of your status, make that conversation a priority before you book. The rest of this season's shots are in our fall vaccine guide for families.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am immune to measles?

You are likely immune to measles if your records show measles vaccination, usually listed as MMR, or if you were born before 1970, since most people that age had measles as children. If you cannot find your records, a doctor, nurse practitioner, or public health unit can review your history and advise whether a dose makes sense.

Can you get measles if you have been vaccinated?

It is possible but uncommon. The measles vaccine is highly effective, and Dr. Isaac Bogoch describes it as giving robust, long-standing protection, while noting that no vaccine works 100 per cent of the time. That is why high vaccination rates across a community matter, since they also protect the few people whose own protection falls short.

What are the first symptoms of measles?

Measles usually starts like a bad cold, with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. About three to seven days later, a rash appears on the face and spreads down the body. The Public Health Agency of Canada's measles fact sheet advises anyone with symptoms to isolate and call a health care provider right away.

Can babies get the measles vaccine early for travel?

In Canada, the measles vaccine is normally given after a child's first birthday, but the Public Health Agency of Canada allows infants as young as six months to get an early dose before travelling to places with outbreaks. Talk to your child's doctor well before the trip, since the timing and the follow-up doses need planning.

If you are not sure whether you are protected against measles, you can book a visit at a walk-in clinic near you on Medimap to review your records or arrange a vaccine, and find more vaccine and travel guides in the Medimap Health Hub.

Disclaimer. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you think you have measles, call your doctor or clinic before you go in. In an emergency, call 911.