Anyone who is not immune to measles can get infected. This includes people who have never been vaccinated, those vaccinated but who did not develop immunity, and infants too young to be vaccinated (under 12 months old)
. Groups at highest risk of getting measles or severe complications include:
- Unvaccinated young children, especially infants under 1 year old whose mothers are not immune
- Pregnant people who are not vaccinated and have never had measles
- People with weakened or compromised immune systems, such as those with immunosuppression or malnutrition
- Older adults, who have a higher likelihood of severe illness and hospitalization
Measles is extremely contagious and spreads through coughing, sneezing, or breathing air contaminated with the virus. One infected person can infect up to 9 out of 10 close contacts who are not immune
. In summary, anyone without immunity—due to lack of vaccination, vaccine failure, or age—is susceptible to measles infection, with the greatest risk of severe disease in young children, pregnant people, and immunocompromised individuals
