Measles Communications Toolkit

Sample Social Media Posts

Sample caption: Extensive research has shown no link between the measles vaccine and autism. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety and effectiveness, and serious side effects are rare. Protect yourself and your community by staying up to date on vaccinations. Learn more here.

Sample caption: Are you protected against measles? Most people receive the MMR vaccine in childhood and are protected for life, but it’s always a good idea to confirm your immunity. Talk to a health care provider if you are unsure about your vaccination history. Learn more here.

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Sample Social Media Graphics – Multiple Languages

Sample caption:  للمواعيد يُرجى الاتصال على 1111-864 312- ​اللقاح هو الطريقة الأكثر أمنًا وفاعلية لتجنب الحصبة.

Hashtags

• #Measles
• #MeaslesVaccine
• #MeaslesAwareness
• #PreventMeasles
• #MMR
• #MMRVaccine
• #Vaccinate
• #GetVaccinated

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Measles Fact Sheet

Fact sheets about Measles are available for download in five different languages: English, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, and Simplified Chinese. The fact sheet discusses measles symptoms, severity, how measles spreads, and vital information about vaccines.

Click links below to download this fact sheet in:

• English
• Spanish
• Polish
• Arabic
• Simplified Chinese

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Poster: 5 Things You Can Do to Prevent Measles

We’ve created a printable 11 x 17 poster featuring five simple, actionable steps people can take to protect themselves and their communities from measles. This poster is designed for use in waiting rooms, classrooms, offices, community centers, and other public spaces. It’s a quick, visual way to promote vaccination and other preventive behaviors.

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Sample Blurb

Measles is back — and it’s spreading fast.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people nearby will get sick. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breathes, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours. Measles can lead to serious health problems like pneumonia, brain swelling, hearing loss, and in rare cases, death. Babies, young children, and people with weakened immune systems are especially at risk.

The best protection is the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses are 97% effective and usually provide lifelong protection. The first dose should be given between 12–15 months old and the second between 4–6 years old. These vaccines have been safely used for more than 50 years and are one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your health. Help protect yourself and your community. Check your vaccine records and talk to a healthcare provider if you’re unsure about your MMR status.

If you do not have a healthcare provider and need a vaccine, call Cook County Health at 312-864-1111.

Access resources and more information: CookCountyPublicHealth.org/Measles.

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Sample Article

Measles is a threat – but it’s preventable.

Measles — declared eliminated in our country in 2000 — is back, and it’s not just creeping in. It’s spreading.

Since the start of 2025, there have already been more than 1,000 measles cases across the U.S. resulting in three deaths. More than 95% of those infected were unvaccinated. These are not just statistics; these are lives affected by a disease we know how to prevent.

In Suburban Cook County, we know there are almost 12,000 children that are unvaccinated against measles. Over the last 10 years, this number has doubled.

Why is this happening? The answer is heartbreaking: misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.

Myths — especially the false claim that the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism — have spread far faster than facts. Despite extensive research showing no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, this dangerous narrative continues to undermine trust and put lives at risk.

Let us be clear: Measles is not a harmless childhood illness. It’s one of the most contagious human diseases. If one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people nearby will get infected. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breathes. While many recover, measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling) and, in rare cases, death.

But there is hope — and that hope is vaccination. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective and has been in use for more than 50 years. Here’s something remarkable: From 2000 to 2023, measles vaccines saved an estimated 60 million lives worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Your decision to vaccinate doesn’t just protect you — it also protects your community. When enough people are vaccinated, it stops the disease from spreading, protecting those who can’t be vaccinated, such as infants or children undergoing cancer treatment.

Measles is preventable. A resurgence is not inevitable — but it is likely if we don’t act.

Let’s work together to stop misinformation, raise vaccination rates and keep measles out of our communities. Access resources and more information: CookCountyPublicHealth.org/Measles.

[SPANISH BELOW]

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