Oregon health Q&A: Is measles a concern now?
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Oregon health Q&A: Is measles a concern now?
Oregon has reported its first measles case of 2025, in Multnomah County. Oregon has traditionally had one of the lowest rates of measles vaccination in the country. For the 2024-2025 school year, only 90.5% of Oregon’s kindergarteners had received the required two doses of MMR vaccine. About 95% of people need to be vaccinated to reach “herd immunity” to measles. If you were born before 1957, have had measles or have had a blood test showing anti-measles antibodies, you are considered immune to measles for life.
Q: Is measles a concern yet in Lebanon, Oregon? The vaccination rate for COVID-19 is low in this town so I assume vaccination against measles will also be low. I deliver Meals on Wheels to senior citizens. I know measles is spreading in many states and am wondering if I need to get another vaccine? – W., Lebanon
Check local vaccination rates for Oregon kids.
A: Thank you for your volunteerism!
As you may have heard earlier this week, Oregon has reported its first measles case of 2025, in Multnomah County. The infected adult was hospitalized from June 19-21 and is now recovering at home. You can read more about that, including potential exposure locations, here.
Public health officials are definitely concerned about this (though not terribly surprised), largely because Oregon has traditionally had one of the lowest rates of measles vaccination (MMR) in the country, and it’s getting lower. For the 2024-2025 school year, only 90.5% of Oregon’s kindergarteners had received the required two doses of MMR vaccine—a significant drop from about 94% a decade ago. (Experts believe that about 95% of people need to be vaccinated to reach “herd immunity” to measles.)
Linn County is above the state average, with 93.1% of kindergartners being up to date with MMR vaccination (two doses) for the 2024-2025 school year. Looking at all K-12 students in Linn County, 94.2% received two doses of MMR. (OHA does not track MMR vaccination rates for adults who may have moved here from elsewhere.)
Regarding your vaccination status, if you were born before 1957, have had measles, have had a blood test showing anti-measles antibodies, or have had two doses of the MMR vaccine, you are considered immune to measles for life. If you can’t remember if you’ve been vaccinated, or if you’ve received only one MMR dose and believe you’ve been exposed, we recommend getting a single MMR dose.
You can learn more about MMR vaccination and measles on our blog.
Born in the 1940s?
At age 62?
How to know if I am protected?
If you have questions about health topics for the Oregon Health Authority, submit your question here. Although the agency is unable to answer every question, it will try to address those of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that OHA is unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/advice/2025/06/oregon-health-qa-is-measles-a-concern-now.html