Measles
Key facts
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Measles is a virus that commonly causes a red and blotchy rash.
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Measles can be very serious. It can cause lung infections (pneumonia), blindness, bleeding (thrombocytopenia) and brain diseases including meningitis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis or SSPE.
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The combination vaccines that protect against measles (MMR and MMRV) are the best way to protect your child from measles.
On this page
- What is measles?
- What will happen to my child if they catch measles?
- What vaccine will protect my child against measles?
- When should my child be vaccinated?
- Will my child catch measles from the vaccine?
- What are the common reactions to the vaccine?
- Are there any rare and/or serious side effects to the vaccine?
- What impact has vaccination had on the prevalence of measles?