New CDC Measles Guidance Could Affect Your Child’s Summer Camp Plans This Year
With just a couple of weeks to go before school lets out and summer camp begins, we are all busy packing lists, arranging travel plans, and trying to remember everything our kids will need. One thing you’ll definitely want to double-check is that your child’s measles vaccine is up to date. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance last week urging summer camps to verify measles immunity.
The new CDC guidance extends beyond New York and has been issued for summer camps nationwide amid the growing measles outbreak. It applies to all summer camp members and urges camp owners and operators to verify measles immunity in every child, staff member, and volunteer.
Psst… Here Comes Summer! Check Out the Ultimate Summer Camp Guide Now
Why Measles Is a Bigger Concern for Summer Camps This Year
The CDC checklist explains the severity of the current outbreak and why the vaccination is so important in camp settings, pointing out how the virus can spread quickly in summer camps because campers and staff spend a lot of time together in close contact.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If one person has measles, up to 9 in 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected, “ warns the CDC. “Measles is more than just a rash — it can cause serious complications or even death.”
Those of us who were parents in 2019 may remember the measles scare, when New York tightened vaccine rules after those big outbreaks. At the time, communities with lower vaccination rates were hit hard by measles cases, and that led to the state removing religious exemptions for school and daycare vaccines.
Now, in 2025, over 1,190 confirmed infections have already been reported this year, and it’s only June. If measles keeps spreading, we’re likely to beat the record number of cases from 2019, which was 1,274.
What Camps Are Doing to Help Mitigate Measles Cases
In line with CDC recommendations, many New York camps are now requiring documented proof of measles immunity, either through vaccination records or a verified history of prior infection. The American Camp Association is also advising its member camps to weigh the risks of allowing unvaccinated individuals on site, warning: “Understand the risk if you do accept a camper or staff member who has not been immunized for measles.”
Camps are taking several practical steps to stay ahead of any measles cases, including setting up designated isolation areas where any camper who starts showing symptoms can be separated quickly to keep others safe. Many camps are also stocking up on face masks to help reduce the chance of the virus spreading if there’s an outbreak. Most camps also work with local health officials so they can respond quickly and keep things under control if someone tests positive.
What NYC Parents Should Do Now
If your child is headed to camp in the next few weeks, here are some things to do:
Check Vaccination Records: Make sure your child has received two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, the gold standard for protection. Most kids receive their first dose at 12–15 months and the second between ages 4–6. If you’re unsure, contact your pediatrician.
Send Documentation to Camp: Rather than waiting for the camp to chase you down, send in your child’s immunization proof now to avoid any last-minute hiccups at drop-off.
Talk to Your Child About Symptoms: Make sure your child knows to tell an adult if they feel unwell. Early symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, which often appear before the characteristic rash.
Know the Camp’s Policy: Find out how your child’s camp will respond. Ask the camp how they’re handling unvaccinated campers and what their outbreak response plan includes. This is so important, especially if your child is medically vulnerable or immunocompromised.
If Your Child Isn’t Vaccinated: Now is the time to act. Speak with your healthcare provider about getting the MMR vaccine. If you’re not sure whether your child is up to date on their measles vaccine — or if your pediatrician has retired, you’ve moved, or records are missing — you can request a copy of their immunization history through the NYC Department of Health’s Immunization Records Request portal.
Psst… Check Out Don’t Forget These Camp Must-Haves: Smart Packing Tips from The Fresh Air Fund’s Lisa Gitelson
