Measles in Brazil: Should International Travellers Be Vaccinated?

In 2026, Brazil has once again reported localized measles outbreaks, primarily affecting the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Although Brazil remains free of endemic measles transmission, imported cases have led to small outbreaks, prompting the Ministry of Health to strengthen vaccination recommendations in affected municipalities. 

If you are planning a trip to Brazil, particularly to São Paulo, one of the most important questions is:



Do international travellers need a measles vaccine before visiting Brazil?

The short answer is: yes, if you are not already immune or fully vaccinated.

Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known. Approximately 90% of susceptible people exposed to the virus become infected.

After years of low incidence, measles has resurged globally due to:

• declining vaccination rates after the COVID-19 pandemic;
• increased international travel;
• immunity gaps in communities with lower vaccine coverage.

The Americas have experienced a significant increase in measles cases during 2025–2026, leading the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to issue epidemiological alerts to member countries.

The recent Brazilian cases have been concentrated in:

• São Paulo
• Guarulhos
• São Bernardo do Campo

Most cases have been linked to imported infections rather than continuous community transmission.

Brazil has not lost its measles elimination status, but public health authorities are actively working to prevent re-establishment of endemic transmission.

No.

Brazil does not require proof of measles vaccination for immigration or entry.

However, Brazilian health authorities, the CDC and the WHO all recommend that international travellers be adequately immunized before travelling.

International recommendations are remarkably consistent.

Adults born after the introduction of measles vaccination

Most adults should have documentation of:

• two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (MMR or equivalent)

or

• laboratory evidence of immunity



or

• previous confirmed measles infection.

Infants

Children aged 6–11 months travelling to outbreak areas may receive an early (“dose zero”) MMR vaccine, although they must still complete the routine childhood schedule later.

Almost all countries do

One of the remarkable achievements of global immunization has been the near-universal adoption of measles vaccination.

According to the World Health Organization:

• 192 WHO Member States now include a second dose of measles vaccine in their national immunization schedules.
• Nearly every country also provides at least one routine dose.

Examples include:

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Chile
• Mexico
• Japan
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Israel
• All European Union countries

Most administer two doses, although the exact ages vary.

Very few.

Today, almost every WHO member country has introduced measles vaccination.

However, some situations still exist:

1. Countries with fragile health systems

Some conflict-affected countries may have interrupted vaccination programmes because of war or humanitarian crises rather than government policy.

2. Countries introducing the second dose later

Some low-income countries historically offered only one routine dose, adding a second dose only after receiving WHO or Gavi support.

By the end of 2025, however, 192 countries had already introduced the second routine dose, leaving only a handful yet to implement it nationally. 

Importantly, there are essentially no developed countries that intentionally exclude measles vaccination from their routine childhood immunization programmes.

This is an important distinction.

In most countries, the vaccine is recommended rather than legally mandatory.

Some countries require proof of vaccination for:

• school entry;
• childcare enrolment;
• healthcare workers;
• military service.

Examples include parts of:

• United States (school requirements vary by state)
• Australia
• Italy
• France
• Germany

These are generally administrative requirements, not immigration requirements.

The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine has been used worldwide for more than 50 years.

Hundreds of millions of doses have been administered globally.



Serious adverse reactions are extremely rare, while protection against measles exceeds 95% after two doses.

Before travelling to Brazil:

• Check your vaccination records.
• Ensure you have received  two documented doses of MMR if you do not have evidence of immunity.
• If travelling with infants aged 6–11 months, discuss early vaccination with your healthcare provider.
• Seek medical advice promptly if you develop fever and rash during or after your trip.

If you develop symptoms suggestive of measles while travelling in Brazil—such as fever, rash, red eyes or cough—it is important to avoid exposing others and seek medical assessment promptly.

At My Brazilian Doctor, we provide English-language telemedicine consultations for international visitors across Brazil. Our physicians can:

• assess your symptoms;
• advise whether measles is likely;
• recommend testing when appropriate;
• arrange referral for in-person evaluation if necessary;
• provide medical documentation for travel or insurance purposes.

Early assessment helps protect both your health and those around you..