03/21/2025
📣 MMR Titer Questions – Let’s Talk About It!
I’ve been getting a lot of requests lately for measles titers, and I wanted to take a moment to share a quick update. Most of those measles titers have come back normal, but we’ve seen a few low mumps and rubella titers pop up. Understandably, this raises some questions—so I thought I’d answer them here!
Mumps:
If you were born before 1957, you’re generally considered immune to mumps due to natural exposure in childhood. While we have seen recent mumps outbreaks, they mostly occur in younger adults in close-living situations like college dorms. For older adults, a low titer doesn’t typically mean you need a booster. A third MMR dose is only recommended during an active outbreak in high-risk settings, which usually doesn’t apply to the older population.
Measles:
Similar to mumps, people born before 1957 are usually presumed to have lifelong immunity to measles. Unless you’re planning international travel, working in a healthcare setting, or have a weakened immune system, a low or even undetectable titer is not a reason to get revaccinated. In general, no booster is needed for most older adults.
Rubella:
Rubella is primarily a concern for pregnant women due to the risk of congenital rubella syndrome. Since this doesn’t apply to most older adults, re-vaccination isn’t routinely recommended—even if your titer is low. The only exceptions might be if you work in healthcare or are in a setting with higher exposure risk. Otherwise, no action is needed.
👉 And just a reminder: this is not medical advice—please always consult with your doctor about your individual health needs.
Hope this helps clear up some of the confusion! Feel free to share or reach out if you have more questions. 💉✨
Dr. G
Golnosh Sharafsaleh MD, MS, MBA, CPE, DipABLM, FAAFP, AGSF
