Mexico City – The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has issued urgent recommendations to its community and the wider public regarding a growing outbreak of measles across the country, warning the disease is more contagious than COVID-19. The university is reinforcing preventative actions, including vaccination and the use of face masks, in response to increasing cases and reported fatalities.
UNAM officials highlighted a recent surge in measles cases across multiple states, prompting the university’s health services to issue a detailed set of guidelines. Gustavo Adolfo Olaiz Fernández, head of UNAM’s General Directorate for Health Attention, stated that measles surpasses even COVID-19 in its contagiousness, according to a statement released January 19th.
The university is advising individuals to verify their vaccination records and those of their children, ensuring they are up-to-date according to age-appropriate schedules. Recommended vaccination schedules include two doses – one at 12 months and another at 18 months – with an additional dose recommended between 6 and 11 months in the current context. Adolescents should receive a booster dose, generally after age 11.
For adolescents and adults up to 49 years old who are unsure of their vaccination status, UNAM recommends a single dose if they did not receive two doses in childhood, haven’t had a booster in the last six years, or are uncertain of their vaccination history. Pregnant women are specifically advised against receiving the measles vaccine. Healthcare workers are urged to receive a booster dose if they haven’t had one in the past 10 years.
Beyond vaccination, UNAM recommends seeking guidance on vaccination sites via telephone at 079. The university also advises individuals experiencing fever, general malaise, or severe respiratory symptoms to stay home and avoid self-medication.
UNAM is also promoting preventative measures beyond vaccination, including the use of face masks in enclosed, crowded spaces, or areas with limited ventilation, such as public transportation, auditoriums, and classrooms, when individual or collective risk warrants it. The university is also emphasizing the importance of natural or mechanical ventilation in buildings, frequent hand hygiene, and regular cleaning of surfaces.
In the event of confirmed cases within academic or administrative groups, UNAM advises against automatic suspension of activities, instead advocating for intensified preventative measures and communication with local health authorities for proper reporting. “These actions, sustained consistently, allow for the reduction of risks without unnecessarily interrupting academic and work activities,” UNAM stated.
In November 2025, UNAM launched an intensive vaccination campaign, administering 30,000 doses of the measles vaccine in response to the rising number of cases in Mexico.
