Measles Vaccine

• Redness and pain where the shot was given and local swelling: local symptoms may appear up to 4 days from the vaccination. You can apply a clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water to the injection site and avoid massaging the area.
• Fever: temperature may rise within 3-7 days after vaccination. You can administer an analgesic to help relieve pain or reduce fever.
• Rash: it can appear up to 42 days after vaccination.
• Rare side effects: upper respiratory tract inflammation, runny nose, swollen lymph node and salivary gland, appetite loss, diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, weakness, crying, lack of sleep, irritation, testicle inflammation, and seizures. You can administer an analgesic to help relieve pain or reduce fever.

Further information on vaccine side effects

About measles

Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the morbillivirus. It is one of the most contagious illnesses; individuals who were not vaccinated have a 90% chance of contracting the disease when coming into contact with a sick person. There is no treatment for measles other than supportive care.

Measles symptoms include fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, eye inflammation, and widespread rash. Measles complications include middle ear inflammation, diarrhea, and inflammation of the cornea. In extremely rare cases, pneumonia and brain inflammation may occur, leading to neurological damage. An exceptionally rare complication is a degenerative brain disease, which results in damage to the central nervous system, cognitive decline, and seizures. Infants up to the age of five face a higher risk of complications. One out of every 1,000 children who contract measles may not survive.

More info about measles

How long it takes for protection to develop after vaccination

The vaccine does not provide immediate full protection. After vaccination, the body begins producing antibodies, and full protection usually develops within about 2 to 3 weeks. Therefore, people planning to travel to an area with measles activity should get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before departure.

If you have known exposure to a person with measles: It may be possible to receive a vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to help reduce the risk of illness or lessen the severity of the disease. If exposure has occurred and you are unsure whether the person is vaccinated, contact a doctor as soon as possible.

The impact of vaccination in Israel: In the 1950s, thousands of people in Israel contracted measles each year. In 1967, the vaccine was added to the routine immunization schedule, and the number of cases has steadily declined since then. However, outbreaks still occur due to infected travelers arriving from abroad and among unvaccinated populations. During the most recent measles outbreak in 2018–2019, more than 4,200 people became ill.

Beginning in April 2025, there was a rise in measles cases in Israel, partly due to infected travelers arriving from abroad and partly from an unknown source. The increase later developed into an active measles outbreak as a result of transmission among people who had not been vaccinated against the virus.

If your child has not received 2 doses of the measles vaccine – it is important to complete the missing vaccinations as soon as possible according to the routine vaccination schedule for infants and children.

If you live in a community with an active measles outbreak – it is recommended to move up measles vaccination for infants ages 6–11 months and for people over 1 year of age.

Learn more about measles and who should complete vaccination

Where to get a measles vaccination

Learn more about completing routine vaccinations

If your child experiences symptoms after getting vaccinated in school, please inform the school nurse or the school's preferred healthcare provider.

List of healthcare providers by district