Michigan Health Officials Recommend Early Measles Vaccines for Infants Amid Spreading Outbreak
LANSING — Michigan state health officials have temporarily recommended that infants ages 6 to 11 months receive an accelerated first dose of the measles vaccine in response to a growing outbreak in southeast Michigan. The recommendation, which takes effect immediately and runs until May 16, affects families in seven southeast Michigan counties and those who have traveled to affected areas.
The public health directive comes as Washtenaw County reports seven cases of measles directly related to community transmission, with the outbreak spreading to neighboring Monroe County. State officials say the accelerated vaccination is necessary to protect the most vulnerable members of the community before they can receive the routinely recommended dose at 12 to 15 months of age.
Community Transmission Raises Concerns
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, issued a statement explaining the urgency of the situation.
"Because people with measles can transmit the virus before they experience symptoms, we want to make sure we are protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities by recommending early vaccination for infants ages 6 through 11 months," Bagdasarian said. "The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine remains our best defense, and two doses offers 97% protection against measles."
The outbreak in Washtenaw County involves seven confirmed cases that are directly related according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The first case was reported on March 12 and was associated with travel to Florida. However, the confirmed case in Monroe County has not been definitively linked to any of the Washtenaw County cases or travel, raising concerns that community transmission may be occurring.
Community transmission means infections are happening without known links to travel or other identified cases, indicating the virus is spreading through the population itself rather than through imported cases. This type of sustained transmission is a significant public health concern.
Expanded Geographic Scope
Due to the possibility of continued spread in the community, MDHHS is now recommending that infants age 6-11 months get an "accelerated first dose" of the measles vaccine if they:
- Live in Washtenaw, Monroe, Wayne, Oakland, Jackson, Livingston, or Lenawee counties
- Have traveled to Washtenaw or Monroe counties
The recommendation is in effect until May 16, which is two incubation periods after the infectious period of the last confirmed case. This extended timeline is designed to prevent any potential new cases from developing into secondary infections.
Infants who receive the accelerated first dose will still require two additional doses of the MMR vaccine after they turn 1 year old to complete the series. Typically, the state recommends children get their first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age, with a second dose given a minimum of 28 days after the first dose.
Rising National Measles Cases
The Michigan outbreak comes amid a significant surge in measles cases across the United States. As of March 26, 1,575 confirmed measles cases were reported in the United States according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, Michigan reported 30 confirmed measles cases in 10 counties: Allegan, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Kent, Macomb, Marquette, Montcalm, Muskegon, Oakland and Osceola. There were also three outbreaks reported in 2025.
The first confirmed 2026 measles case in Michigan involved an unvaccinated adult who previously traveled to Florida and was believed to have contracted the virus there. That person exposed others at multiple locations in Wayne and Washtenaw counties between March 4 and March 8.
According to the CDC, 5% of people with measles in 2026 have been hospitalized. There were three confirmed measles deaths in 2025. The rising number of cases has been attributed in part to declining vaccination rates across the country.
Vaccination Rates in Michigan
Statewide, only 66% of Michigan children ages 4-6 have had the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine, according to MDHHS. That's down from 89% in previous years, a trend that public health officials have attributed to various factors including vaccine hesitancy and access issues.
Public health experts emphasize that getting two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect against measles, mumps and rubella. A single dose is about 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses are about 97% effective.
What to Watch For
Health officials urge anyone who was exposed to the virus at known locations to monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after exposure. Measles symptoms can include:
- Fever, which may rise above 104 degrees
- Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose and cough
- Red, watery eyes that can develop into pink eye or conjunctivitis
- Tiny white spots, known as Koplik spots, that may develop on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth
- A red, raised, blotchy rash that usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs
"If symptoms appear, do not seek medical treatment in person without calling the doctor's office, urgent care or emergency room first," officials advised.
Preventive Treatment Available
Anyone who was exposed to the virus and isn't already immune to measles may be eligible for preventive measures, or what's called post-exposure prophylaxis. This could include an MMR vaccine or treatment with immune globulin (IG).
Health officials say that if a dose of the MMR vaccine is given within 72 hours of exposure, it can prevent measles illness if a person isn't already immune. Immune globulin (IG) can prevent illness in high-risk individuals up to six days after exposure to measles. High-risk groups include infants under the age of 1 and pregnant or immunocompromised individuals.
Where to Get Vaccines
Vaccines are available from health care providers, pharmacies and health departments. Children eligible for the federal Vaccines for Children program may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program at no-cost.
For those in Washtenaw County, families can call 734-544-6700 to schedule a vaccine appointment at the health department. Walk-ins are accepted at the clinic at 555 Towner, Ypsilanti, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays or 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays.
Wayne County Public Health offers appointments at 734-727-7100. Vaccines are available at the Public Health Clinic, 33030 Van Born Road, Wayne, during the following hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. They also are available 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
The Serious Nature of Measles
Measles can cause serious illness, long-term disability and death in people of all ages. About 1 in 5 people who get measles will be hospitalized. Roughly 1 in 20 children with measles develops pneumonia, and about 1 out of every 1,000 children who have measles infections also will have encephalitis.
Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and death, according to the CDC. Anywhere from 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children with measles dies of respiratory or neurologic complications from the virus.
People who contract measles during pregnancy also are more likely to develop pneumonia and be hospitalized. The virus can cause miscarriage and stillbirth as well as trigger preterm birth and lead to lower birth weights.
Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director of the Washtenaw County Health Department, emphasized that there is no cause for ongoing concern at the identified locations. "The individual was isolated as soon as measles was suspected and is recovering," Marquez said.
However, the state's recommendation for early vaccination underscores the contagious nature of the virus and the need to protect infants who cannot yet receive the routinely recommended vaccine. The accelerated vaccination program is a preventive measure that public health officials hope will prevent further spread of the outbreak.
Looking Ahead
Michigan health officials are urging all individuals without evidence of measles immunity to get the MMR vaccine as soon as possible. The state continues to monitor the situation closely and will adjust recommendations as needed based on the progression of the outbreak.
The temporary recommendation for early vaccination is expected to be lifted once the outbreak is under control and no further community transmission is detected. Until then, families in affected areas should ensure their infants are protected against this highly contagious virus.
Sources
- https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/04/02/early-mmr
- https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/childrenfamilies/immunizations/measlesupdates
- https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/04/02/michigan-measles-outbreak-state-urges-earlier-vaccination-for-infants/89442884007/
- https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2026/03/11/michigan-measles-case-wayne-washtenaw-county-exposures-health-department/89100103007/