NY just declared a measles emergency — do I actually need an MMR booster as an adult?
Born in the early 90s, work an office job in the city, travel a few times a year. My pediatric vaccination records are basically my mom's memory ('you got everything, I'm sure') with no card to prove it. Now NY declared a statewide measles emergency on Monday — 108 cases here this year, and Pennsylvania is over 1,000 with deaths. So: is this mostly a get-your-kids-vaccinated situation, or should adults with fuzzy records actually do something? Is there a way to check immunity without paying out of pocket, like a titer test, and is that even worth it? Not asking strangers for medical advice — I want to know what the actual guidance is and whether anyone here has dealt with this.
1 answer
- Health department first, wallet later
Before you pay $200+ for a titer test or a private-clinic booster, call your county health department. During outbreaks they run free MMR clinics — NY's emergency order just expanded who can give the shot: registered nurses can order tests and pharmacists can vaccinate kids as young as 2, so adults are easy. Also check your insurance first: MMR booster is usually covered as preventive with $0 copay; the titer test is the part that actually costs real money. Practical sequence: 1) try your pediatrician's office for the record, 2) insurance-covered booster, 3) health department if uninsured. Adults born after ~1989 who got both doses are considered protected — it's the 'one dose or lost the card' crowd being asked to re-check.