LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is alerting residents about possible community transmission of measles and recommendations to protect communities.

Seven measles cases have been identified in Washtenaw County and an eighth case of measles was confirmed in neighboring Monroe County. The Monroe County case has not been definitively linked to any of the Washtenaw County cases or travel and the timing and proximity to the outbreak raises concerns that community transmission may be occurring.

Vaccination for children 

The MMR vaccine is routinely recommended at 12 to 15 months of age with a second dose given a minimum of 28 days after the first dose.  

New recommendation as of April 2026: Given the possibility of ongoing community transmission, MDHHS is also recommending that infants ages 6 to 11 months receive an accelerated first dose of measles vaccine if they are in the following groups: 

• Residents of Washtenaw, Monroe, Wayne, Oakland, Jackson, Livingston or Lenawee counties. 

• Individuals who travel to Washtenaw and Monroe counties. 

This recommendation is in effect until Saturday, May 16, which is two incubation periods after the infectious period of the last identified measles case. Any updates to this recommendation will be posted on the MDHHS measles webpage. Infants ages 6 to 11 months of age who receive an accelerated first dose will require two additional doses of the MMR vaccine after 12 months of age to complete the series.

Vaccination for adults 

It is possible that individuals vaccinated between 1963 and 1967 received a less-effective version of the vaccine. Individuals vaccinated before 1989 may have only received one dose of the MMR vaccine and may be eligible for a second dose. If you fall into either of these categories, or if you are unsure whether you have ever received the MMR vaccine, contact your health care provider or local pharmacy to see if you are eligible for a dose of the vaccine.