Former CDC Director Argues For Stronger Guidance On Measles Vaccine Dose

TEXAS – As Texas battles a growing measles outbreak with over 200 confirmed cases, former CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky is calling for stronger nationwide guidance on early measles vaccination.

In a new Jama opinion paper, Walensky and co-authors recommend infants in high-risk U.S. areas receive an early third dose of the MMR vaccine, starting at six months old.

The CDC currently advises two doses at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years.

The authors argue that low vaccination rates and rising domestic outbreaks warrant broader early vaccination, especially for infants traveling to high-risk regions.