Provider News

Guidance for Referring Patients with Suspected Measles to Seattle Children’s

January 26, 2026

Directing Patients to Seattle Children’s Who May Have Measles

Many of the patients treated at Seattle Children’s are medically complex, immunocompromised, and/or non-immune to measles. For that reason, we have patients who may have measles enter the ED by an alternate route. If you are considering sending a patient to Seattle Children’s with concern for measles, please note these important considerations and steps:

Contact Mission Control at 206-987-8899 prior to directing the patient to Seattle Children’s. The patient should remain at the referring facility so key information can be conveyed to them by their care team. If the patient has left the referring facility, we will need a contact number for them.
The provider that is currently treating the patient should be the person contacting Mission Control so that our team can gather the most accurate clinical information and ask clarifying questions.
We will work directly with you and the patient/family on facilitating evaluation and treatment, while reducing exposure.
If a patient/family will be arriving at the ED for further assessment or testing, ensure that they are instructed to wait in their car upon arrival; someone will come outside to meet them and bring them inside.
Please note that Mission Control is for provider-to-provider use only and patients/families should not be directed to call this number.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Information

Measles post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a strategy used to prevent or reduce the severity of measles in some patients who have been exposed to the virus. The need for post-exposure prophylaxis for measles is dependent on the timing of exposure as well as a patient’s age, health status, and prior immunization status. There are two main options for PEP in children, outlined below. Patients eligible for the MMR vaccine should have that administered by their PCP. For patients who need Immune Globulin, please see details below on instructions for directing those patients to Seattle Children’s.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
- Who: Given to children ≥6 months old who are not fully vaccinated and were exposed to measles within the past 72 hours.
- Considerations:
  - If given before 12 months of age, the child will still need the routine MMR doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years.
  - Not recommended for immunocompromised children.
Immune Globulin (forms include Intramuscular [referred to as both IMIG and IGIM] and Intravenous [IVIG])
- Who:
  - Exposed infants <6 months old (who cannot receive MMR).
  - Exposed infants 6 through 11 months old who did not receive MMR within 72 hours after exposure
  - Exposed severely immunocompromised children (e.g., those with cancer, primary immunodeficiencies).
  - Exposed pregnant people who are nonimmune to measles
- Timing: Must be given within 6 days of exposure.
- Considerations:
  - The specific form of immune globulin used will depend on patient age and product availability.
  - PEP should be given as soon as possible after exposure.
  - Close contacts (e.g., household members, healthcare providers) should also be evaluated for PEP if unvaccinated.
  - Before getting an MMR vaccine, wait at least 6 months for those who receive IMIG, and at least 8 months for those who receive IVIG.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Suspected Measles Testing Procedures at Seattle Children’s

Prior to referring a patient for PEP, there must be an established plan with Seattle Children’s. Providers should call Mission Control (206-987-8899) in advance of their patient’s arrival to notify us that they are directing a patient to Seattle Children’s for PEP. Mission Control will work with our teams to facilitate evaluation and treatment while reducing exposure. Please note that Mission Control is for provider-to-provider use only and families should not be directed to call this number.

Reminder: Patients eligible for the MMR vaccine as PEP should have that administered by their PCP.

About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease, but it is preventable with vaccines. A patient with measles can expose a large number of people within healthcare settings, so identifying potential cases early is crucial.

Measles symptoms include: