As of April 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there have been 10 outbreaks and 800 confirmed measles cases in 25 US states in 2025. Of these cases, 96% of those affected are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status. There have been two confirmed deaths caused by measles and one death that is still under investigation. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that, primarily in West Texas, 624 cases have been confirmed. Both deaths also occurred in two school-aged children who lived in Texas’s South Plains outbreak area. Both children were not vaccinated.

According to the CDC, two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is 93% effective. It is uncommon for someone who is fully vaccinated to develop measles. To learn more about measles symptoms and whether you need to get vaccinated again, we spoke with doctors for their expert insights.

What does measles look like in adults and children? 

Measles is one of the world’s most contagious viruses with a number of symptoms to look out for — most notably a rash and fever, according to the CDC. The virus is spread through the air, and once infected, measles attacks your respiratory tract. 

The Cleveland Clinic notes that there is no cure for measles, and measles just has to «run its course.» However, the best protection from it is a measles vaccine, which is typically given to babies in the form of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. 

Measles typically manifests at first as a «very specific rash that starts from the face and spreads down your body,» says Dr. Yoshua Quinones, board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan. Other common side symptoms to watch out for include «high fever, cough, runny nose and watery or red eyes.»

Quinones adds, «Occasionally, you may see small white spots inside your mouth. These are named Koplik spots.»

While measles can and will make anyone sick, the CDC reports that it is especially dangerous for children younger than 5. This is because children have undeveloped immune systems and are at a higher risk of illnesses, making them vulnerable — especially if they haven’t been vaccinated.

How does the measles vaccine work?

The measles vaccine protects people from getting measles. It’s known as the MMR, because it’s combined with the vaccines for mumps (a contagious viral infection that affects the salivary glands) and rubella (another contagious viral infection that typically starts with a red facial rash). You may also see the MMRV, which includes a vaccine for varicella or chickenpox. 

«The vaccine is a live virus that is introducing a very weak form of measles so your body can practice fighting it off,» says Quinones. «This will prepare your immune system to fight against measles if you’re exposed.»

One dose is typically given during infancy, with a second dose to follow a few years later. The vaccination is especially important for children because their immune systems are weaker. This is why both doses are recommended before they are in school, where they will be exposed to more children (and more germs). 

Who should get the measles vaccine? 

Measles vaccines are typically given to all children. The first vaccine is usually given between 12 and 15 months of age and the second one is given between 4 and 6 years of age before children go to school, according to the CDC. The ages can vary, though, as long as the doses are properly spaced out. 

Vaccines can also be given to adults who haven’t previously been vaccinated or are not immune, although they typically only get one dose. Dr. Omar Al-Heeti, an assistant professor of medicine at Southern Illinois University who practices internal medicine with a specialty in infectious diseases, and one of CNET’s medical reviewers, adds that adults born during or after 1957 should have at least one dose of the MMR vaccine or presumptive evidence of immunity.

According to Al-Heeti, presumptive evidence of immunity is defined as one of the following:

• Written documentation of vaccination with two doses of live measles or MMR vaccine administered at least 28 days apart
• Laboratory evidence of immunity (positive serum IgG)
• Laboratory confirmation of disease
• Birth before 1957 (According to the CDC, although birth before 1957 is considered presumptive evidence of immunity, for unvaccinated health-care personnel (HCP) born before 1957 who lack laboratory evidence of measles immunity or laboratory confirmation of disease, health-care facilities should consider vaccinating personnel with two doses of MMR vaccine at the appropriate interval.)

The CDC recommends that adults who work in the health-care field, attend college or university, or travel internationally get two doses separated by at least 28 days, as they are deemed to be at higher risk for acquiring the infection.

Should you get a measles booster if you were already vaccinated? 

Despite the ongoing measles outbreak, there is likely no need to get an additional measles vaccine — unless you aren’t fully vaccinated already or have proven immunity (previous infection/exposure).

«If someone is fully vaccinated against measles (two doses) and has not had a major immunocompromising condition occur (e.g., organ transplant), their immunity should be sufficient with no need for further dosages,» says Amesh A. Adalja, an infectious disease specialist and a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

The first measles vaccine dose is usually given to infants and toddlers, with the second dose given during the childhood years. If the second dose was never given, someone could be at higher risk for measles and would, in fact, benefit from another measles vaccine now. 

A recent report noted that some people originally vaccinated in the 1970s and 1980s may need a new vaccine because the original wore off. This could be because they were only given one dose and the vaccine has evolved since then, and it was potentially not caught in some people’s medical records. 

«If you already have your full series, you don’t need an additional dose; however, I highly recommend checking your titers if you have any doubts,» Quinones says. «An extra shot will never add extra protection because you’re very well protected.» According to Mount Sinai, an antibody titer test measures the level of antibodies in a blood sample to see which vaccines you may need.

Ask your primary care doctor to check your vaccination status to see if your MMR vaccination is up to date and to see if you may need a booster. If it’s current and you are not immunocompromised, you likely do not need an extra shot. The CDC also notes that adults who have received a single dose and have «presumptive evidence of immunity» — documentation of vaccination or immunity — don’t need to get another one.

Who shouldn’t get the measles vaccine? 

While the measles vaccine is generally considered safe, some groups of people are advised to avoid it. Quinones recommends that pregnant people not get the vaccine. It is also advised to wait at least a month after giving birth before getting a vaccine.

The CDC also recommends that people who had an allergic reaction to the first MMR vaccine hold off on getting the second dose. In addition, people with any «severe, life-threatening» allergies should consult their doctor before getting vaccinated because it may not be safe. 

Those with weakened immune systems should also consult their doctor about getting the vaccine, especially if it is because of disease or medical treatment. If immunodeficiencies run in the family, this could also cause an issue with the shots. 

The vaccines can also potentially react with recent blood transfusions so it’s not recommended to get the MMR or MMRV within at least three months of receiving blood from someone. You should also not get the vaccine if you currently have tuberculosis or bruise or bleed easily, according to the CDC. 

The MMR doses need to be spaced out by at least 28 days, and you should also not get one of these doses if you’ve had another vaccine within 28 days as well. It’s also important to let your health-care provider know if you’ve been sick recently — with any sort of illness — so they can advise if it’s still safe to vaccinate. If you’re a parent bringing in a child for vaccination, also advise the doctor if the baby has been sick or shown any previous symptoms of concern.

Or if you were born before 1957, you may already have immunity. 

Is the measles vaccine safe? 

According to medical experts and the CDC, the measles vaccine is safe and effective. Some slight side effects may occur after getting the shot, but they are generally minor and go away quickly.

«The measles vaccine may cause fever, chills and muscle aches/pains in the days after injection,» Adalja said.

Quinones also points out that it’s possible to feel sore at the injection site following the shot. 

Beyond this, the CDC reports that it’s possible to see some swelling in the cheeks or neck and in rare cases, a bleeding disorder that will eventually resolve itself. In more severe cases, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to the vaccine, which would require calling 911 right away, especially if there’s trouble breathing, intense swelling or dizziness. 

The CDC also reports a small link between the MMR vaccine and febrile seizures, but it is rare and not linked to long-term effects. However, the organization recommends that parents vaccinate their children early to lessen the chances of this occurring. 

The CDC also calls out the notion that vaccines were once linked to autism and shuts down any possibility that the two are related to each other, citing experts and research. The CDC states, «There is no link between autism and vaccines that contain thimerosal as a preservative.»

Does health insurance cover the measles vaccine? 

Typically, all Health Insurance Marketplace plans and private insurance plans offer the MMR vaccine (as well as other common vaccines) without charging a copayment or coinsurance, as long as you’re with an in-network provider, according to the CDC. Medicare likely also covers the vaccine, whether on Part B or Part D, and so does Medicaid, but it’s always best to double-check with your medical facility and with Medicare or Medicaid to be certain. 

Military benefits can also vary depending on coverage, but the MMR vaccine will most likely be covered, as the CDC recommends it be covered across the board.

The bottom line 

Despite the outbreak that is currently happening in the United States, people do not need to get another measles vaccine if they’ve already sufficiently been vaccinated. However, doctors suggest checking with your health-care provider if you have any concerns about the efficacy of the vaccinations you received and to find out if a booster shot could be necessary, especially if there is an outbreak in your community. If so, experts make it clear that the measles vaccine is safe and will protect you from the virus.

Today, YouTube delivers everything from SNL skits to Super Bowl commercials to cute and classic cat videos, and it’s hard to imagine getting along without the video-sharing platform. But 20 years ago, the first YouTube video was fairly understated. Titled «Me at the zoo,» that very first clip shows YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim at the San Diego Zoo. In the 19-second-long video, Karim doesn’t have a lot to say.

«Alright, so here we are in front of the, uh, elephants,» he says. «And the cool thing about these guys is that, is that they have really, really, really long, um, trunks, and that’s, that’s cool. And that’s pretty much all there is to say.»

Oh no, Karim. There’s a lot more to say. As Al Jolson said in the 1927 film The Jazz Singer, which brought synchronized sound to what had previously been a silent medium, «you ain’t seen nothing yet.»

You can still watch the iconic Me at the zoo video on YouTube. And you wouldn’t be alone if you did: It has 355 million views.

YouTube was one of the first video-hosting platforms, and became the largest, with over 2,7 billion monthly users. It’s created its own personalities and stars, such as #1 YouTube personality Mr. Beast, and inspired other platforms, including Netflix and Hulu. YouTube debuted YouTube TV in 2027 — CNET’s pick for the best channel selection in a streaming service — and now offers over 100 channels, as well as NFL Sunday Ticket. It’s also changed the world of music videos and of gaming, plus laid the groundwork for the podcasting industry.

In the video embedded above, CNET senior video producer Dillon Lopez relays how YouTube has affected his life. Famed YouTubers inspired him to choose a career in video, and he even watched a YouTube video for video-production tips on his way to a fateful job interview. (He got the job, and met his wife there, so thanks, YouTube!)

More than 5 billion — with a B — videos have been uploaded to YouTube in the 20 years since Jawed Karim pointed out an obvious point about elephants, and it’s fair to say that Lopez is far from the only viewer who’s had their life changed by the service.

«So cheers to 20 years YouTube,» Lopez says. «Happy Anniversary, and I can’t wait to grab a beer with you next year on your birthday.»

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a gorgeous RPG from Sandfall Interactive. After previewing it during the Game Developer Conference, we’ve been anxiously awaiting its release. After playing over 20 hours of the title, I’ve compiled a short list of tips to help you start your journey on the best footing.

Pause cutscenes

Lengthy RPGs are known for having extensive cutscenes, and Clair Obscur is no different. It’s important to know if and how you can pause these in order to step away from the game momentarily — and luckily, you can do so in the middle of the game’s story-rich cinematic moments. Pressing A (when using an Xbox controller) is how you’ll pause a scene; from there, you can decide to skip or continue watching.

Get all three tokens in the early game

During the prologue you’ll get the chance to meet many of your teammates before heading off island. The game will grant you a single token to spend at one of three merchants located around the titular Expedition 33’s prelaunch festival. You can pick between a «pictograph,» an outfit and an item you don’t have use for yet. 

However, you can unlock two more tokens in order to purchase everything available before moving on. The first optional token is won by completing the quiz that one of your friends asks (answers include that the first venture to defeat the Paintress was Expedition Zero, and that it’s been 100 years since the shattering). The second token you can get by battling against Maelle. There’s no need to worry about which item you should buy; you don’t have to miss out on any of them.

Automatic quick time events

Found within the settings’ accessibility menu, you can turn on automatic quick time events in order to avoid some of the game’s real-time combat. However, this only applies to QTEs that happen from your party’s attacks — which are nice to turn off if you just can’t get the timing right or have trouble seeing the icons. Actions that take place on an enemy’s turn, such as parrying or dodging, will not be performed for you.

Listen to your team

Often, one of your party members will call out when the team is being attacked. What they say will determine which of your team is the target. For example, if Lune shouts, «I’m ready to counter,» it means she’s about to be attacked. But if she says, «Gustav, dodge this,» then Gustav is the one in danger. Keep this in mind if you’re worried about a specific character receiving more aggro and getting focused down by enemies.

Avoid danger

You’ll quickly find side dungeons to explore after progressing far enough to unlock the overworld. Some of these will display a Danger marking under their name when you approach. While it may be fun to test your might against the difficult opponents there, I’ve found that they’re far too tough to battle my way through. It’s recommended to level up significantly and come back later.

Practice parrying

When enemies attack, dodging is far easier to perform than parrying, but the latter is too useful to ignore. Not only do you avoid taking any damage, but the counterattack you strike is super powerful. Even if you typically shy away from learning a game’s parry mechanic, as I often do, I highly advise you to practice and learn this from the beginning. While the timing is different for each enemy (and even attacks), it’s a surefire way to whittle down tough enemies.

Counters use elements

It’s worth noting that the element of your weapon will come into play when performing a base attack with it. This can be very useful when exploiting enemy weaknesses, but can be a hindrance if the elements match. For example, using a fire sword against an ice enemy will do increased damage, while the same sword will heal a fire-based opponent. 

This elemental system comes into play when you parry as well. Even though you’re avoiding damage and performing a counterattack, you can still end up healing an enemy if you aren’t paying attention. Keep this in mind when deciding whether to parry or dodge enemy blows.

Dodge/parry multiple times

There’s enough time to dodge and/or parry repeatedly during an enemy attack. This is one of the reasons it can be hard to nail down the right timing, especially as enemies incorporate weird delays in their swings and projectiles. However, it can also be a blessing. If you miss the correct moment, you can try again before the attack lands. It’s not a single attempt per action. It’ll be hard to pull off, but there’s still a chance to try again.

Weak points

Many enemies have weak points that you can use your ranged attack (LT on Xbox) to shoot. This will often deal a decent amount of damage and may cause further status effects to the enemy and/or its companions. Every time you encounter a new foe, take a moment to survey the character design for something glowing or shiny. These points are often found in the center or near the head. However, I’ve encountered some located on the enemy’s arms and even floating around them in the form of orbs or hats. If something seems like it’s sticking out, shoot it first and ask questions later.

Those should give you good starting tips for the lengthy Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The game comes out on April 24 for Xbox, PlayStation and PC.