Summer Camps and Measles Don't Mix

Following a significant increase in measles cases during the first five months of 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now focusing on preventing outbreaks at summer camps.

On June 11, 2025, the CDC announced that public health professionals can utilize the "Be Ready for Measles" toolkit to effectively communicate with various audiences while preparing for and responding to measles cases and outbreaks.

The CDC highly recommends, 'When a camper, staff member, or volunteer has measles symptoms, take these actions immediately.'

Furthermore, 'Be prepared to work with your health department on their recommendations, such as a camp-wide quarantine.'

Additionally, the American Camp Association offers these measles vaccination tips:

Know each camper and staff member's immunization status.

Decide whether to allow unvaccinated campers and staff at your camp.

Ensure you have educated healthcare staff.

Consider tracking the percentage of immunized campers and staff at your camp. 

Furthermore, campers could become infected on their way to camp.

For example, on June 13, 2025, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment advised that anyone who was in locations in Denver and Boulder, including coffee shops, should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure and consider avoiding public gatherings or high-risk settings. 

In 2019, summer camps in New York tightened their vaccination requirements amid a record number of measles cases. In response, then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law removing various exemptions from the measles vaccination requirement.

Since then, numerous states have modified measles vaccination requirements.

As of June 16, 2025, measles vaccines are readily available at health clinics and pharmacies throughout the United States.