Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

According to the CDC, why should you get vaccinated?

MMR vaccine can prevent measles, mumps, and rubella.

• MEASLES (M) can cause fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, commonly followed by a rash that covers the whole body. It can lead to seizures (often associated with fever), ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Rarely, measles can cause brain damage or death.

• MUMPS (M) can cause fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears. It can lead to deafness, swelling of the brain and/or spinal cord covering, painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and, very rarely, death.

• RUBELLA (R) can cause fever, sore throat, rash, headache, and eye irritation. It can cause arthritis in up to half of teenage and adult women. If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.

Most people who are vaccinated with MMR will be protected for life. Vaccines and high rates of vaccination have made these diseases much less common in the United States.[1]

Who should get the vaccine?

Older children, adolescents, and adults also need 1 or 2 doses of MMR vaccine if they are not already immune to measles, mumps, and rubella. Your health care provider can help you determine how many doses you need.1

How does getting the vaccine work?

Students in postsecondary educational institutions (college), international travelers, and household or close personal contacts of immunocompromised persons with no evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, or rubella: 1 dose MMR if previously received 1 dose MMR, or 2-dose series MMR at least 4 weeks apart if previously did not receive any MMR vaccination. Otherwise, if no evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, or rubella: 1 dose MMR.[2]

MMR vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.1

[1] MMR Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) <https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mmr.html> [accessed Jan 20 2020]

[2]  Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule <hhttps://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html> [accessed Jan 20 2020]