The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging summer camps to check for documentation of measles immunity for all children, staff, and volunteers due to a near-record level of measles cases in the U.S. in 2025. This includes verifying immunity through vaccination or prior infection.
Measles spreads quickly in settings like summer camps because campers and staff spend extended time in close contact, including on buses and in shared sleeping areas, which facilitates transmission of this highly contagious disease.
The CDC recommends camps maintain records of measles immunity status to help health departments identify individuals who are not immune and may need vaccination or post-exposure prophylaxis such as immunoglobulin.
Children who have received the recommended two doses of the measles vaccine and have no immunocompromising conditions are considered protected and generally do not require additional measures beyond monitoring for symptoms.
Conversely, unvaccinated children are at much higher risk of contracting measles if exposed and may need treatments like immunoglobulin if exposed.
The CDC also advises camps to communicate vaccine requirements clearly to campers, parents, and staff before sessions begin, similar to school immunization policies, to reduce the risk of outbreaks.
Given the current outbreak situation—with 1,197 confirmed cases reported in 2025 across 35 jurisdictions and multiple outbreaks ongoing—this vigilance is critical to prevent further spread, especially in close-contact environments like camps.
In summary, the CDC’s guidance for summer camps includes:
- Checking and documenting measles immunity for all campers, staff, and volunteers.
- Understanding and managing the risk of admitting unvaccinated individuals.
- Preparing for potential measles cases with isolation spaces and face masks.
- Communicating vaccine requirements clearly before camp starts.
These measures aim to protect children and prevent outbreaks in summer camps amid a significant resurgence of measles in the U.S..
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