MMR Vaccine for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella: What You Need to Know

The MMR vaccine is a powerful tool to prevent three highly contagious viral diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).

Thanks to the MMR vaccine, introduced in 1963, these serious illnesses are much less common today than they once were.

What Is the MMR Vaccine?

The MMR vaccine is an injection, usually given in the upper arm. Two doses (shots) are needed for full protection.

It is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains living but weakened viruses that are not strong enough to cause disease. They teach the immune system to recognize and fight the actual viruses if the body is exposed to them in the future.

The MMR vaccine protects against a trio of illnesses that can cause severe and in some cases life-threatening complications.

Mumps, known for painful swelling of the salivary glands, can result in hearing loss and infertility.

Rubella, also called German measles, is generally mild in children but can lead to birth defects in babies if a pregnant person gets sick.

Children: All children need two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose given at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old.

Students at post-high school educational institutions: Those who don’t have presumptive evidence of immunity (see definition below) need 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

Adults: People who don’t have presumptive evidence of immunity should get at least 1 dose of the MMR vaccine. Some individuals should get two doses, separated by at least 28 days, if they are entering a situation where they face a heightened risk of measles or mumps transmission. This includes students at post-high school educational institutions; healthcare personnel; and international travelers.

International travelers: The CDC recommends the following vaccination schedule.

• Infants Babies ages 6 through 11 months should get one dose of MMR vaccine. Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more doses (one at 12 through 15 months of age and another separated by at least 28 days).
• Children It’s advised that children 12 months of age and older receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
• Teenagers and Adults Those who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity against measles should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.

Healthcare personnel: Healthcare workers who don’t have presumptive evidence of immunity should get two MMR vaccine doses, separated by at least 28 days.

Women of childbearing age: Women should check with their healthcare provider to make sure they have presumptive evidence of immunity before getting pregnant. Women of childbearing age who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity and are not pregnant should get at least 1 dose of the MMR vaccine.

Groups at increased risk of mumps during a mumps outbreak: During a mumps outbreak certain groups of individuals at increased risk of mumps transmission (perhaps because they may be living in close quarters with someone who has mumps, for instance) may need an extra MMR vaccine dose.

What Is Presumptive Evidence of Immunity?

• Written documentation of having had the vaccines
• Lab evidence of immunity
• Lab confirmation of the disease
• Birth year before 1957

• Pregnancy The MMR vaccine is not advised during pregnancy. If you plan to get pregnant, talk to your provider about getting the MMR vaccine before you conceive.
• Immunosuppression People who have a weakened immune system or are otherwise immunocompromised should not get the MMR vaccine.
• Family History of Immune Issues Anyone with a parent or sibling with a history of immune system issues is not a candidate for this vaccine.
• Certain Health Conditions The MMR vaccine is not safe for people with a history of any condition that causes bleeding or bruising.
• Recent Blood Transfusion People who have received any recent blood product should avoid the MMR vaccine, usually for at least three months.
• Tuberculosis
• Severe Allergic Reactions People who have had an allergic reaction to any component of the MMR vaccine, including gelatin or neomycin, should not receive it.
• Recent Vaccinations People who received any other vaccination in the past month should wait to get the MMR vaccine.

If you’re unsure whether the MMR vaccine is right for you or your child, talk to your healthcare provider.

Two MMR vaccines are available for use in the United States, M-M-R II and PRIORIX. They are fully interchangeable.

Full immunization with two doses the MMR vaccine is 97 percent effective at preventing measles and rubella and 88 percent effective at preventing mumps.

Inadequate levels of vaccination at the community and national level can threaten so-called herd immunity. For measles, preventing outbreaks requires that at least 95 percent of the population get both vaccine doses.

Immunity against mumps may decrease over time, however, and some people may no longer be protected against mumps later in life. These individuals should talk to a healthcare provider about getting an additional vaccine dose in the event of a mumps outbreak.

Do Adults Need a Booster Shot?

In general, adults who have had two doses of the MMR vaccine as children do not need a booster shot. It’s very rare to get measles if you’re fully vaccinated. If you are vaccinated and get the measles, it’s more likely to be a mild case.

Like all vaccines, the MMR vaccine can cause side effects, but they are usually mild and short-lived. Possible side effects include:

• Arm pain from getting the shot
• Fever
• Mild rash
• Temporary joint pain and stiffness (mostly in teenage or adult women)

More rarely, people may experience swelling in the cheeks or neck.

These side effects typically go away within a few days.

Serious complications from the MMR vaccine are extremely rare. These include:

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) The MMR vaccine can cause a temporary low platelet count, which can cause immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This bleeding disorder usually goes away without treatment in children, but can become chronic in some adults.

Anaphylaxis People may experience a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in response to a component in the vaccine. If you experience any serious changes after vaccination, like trouble breathing or swelling of the throat, seek medical attention immediately.

The claim that the MMR vaccine causes autism is based on flawed, discredited research and has been thoroughly debunked by multiple studies.

If you don’t have insurance, you may also be able to get the vaccine for free at local health clinics or through programs that provide vaccines to uninsured or underinsured individuals.

If you don’t have insurance or qualify for assistance, the cost of the MMR vaccine will vary depending on where you receive it.

• The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, all of which can cause severe illness.
• The vaccine is recommended for nearly everyone, with a two-dose schedule for children and certain adults.
• Large-scale studies have proven that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism. Serious complications from vaccination are rare.