measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live) at a glance
Medicine class
Live attenuated combined viral vaccine
Protects against
Measles, mumps and rubella
Administration
Injection into a muscle or under the skin, usually in the thigh or upper arm
Product form
MMRVAXPRO is supplied as powder and solvent for reconstitution and contains hydrolysed gelatine and traces of neomycin
What is measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live) used for?
MMRVAXPRO is licensed for simultaneous immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella in accordance with official recommendations.
Vaccination of people from 12 months of age.
Vaccination from 9 months of age in special circumstances.
Use during measles outbreaks or following measles exposure.
Vaccination of previously unvaccinated people older than 9 months who have contact with a susceptible pregnant person.
Vaccination of people considered susceptible to mumps or rubella.
How does measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live) work?
The weakened viruses expose the immune system to their antigens, stimulating antibodies and immune memory against measles, mumps and rubella without causing these infections in healthy recipients.
How to take measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live)
A trained healthcare professional reconstitutes and injects the vaccine into a muscle or under the skin, usually in the thigh for younger children or upper arm for older people. It must not be injected into a blood vessel. The under-the-skin route is used when thrombocytopenia or a coagulation disorder makes intramuscular bleeding more likely.
Food does not affect vaccination.
Tell the vaccinator about pregnancy, immune-system problems, fever, allergies, bleeding disorders, recent blood products and other planned vaccines.
The reconstituted vaccine should be checked for an abnormal appearance and used promptly.
measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live) side effects
Common or expected effects
- Fever
- Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
- Measles-like or other rash
- Bruising at the injection site
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or facial or throat swelling
- Seizure
- Thrombocytopenia, which may cause unusual bruising or bleeding
- Serious blistering skin reaction
- Neurological inflammation or aseptic meningitis symptoms
measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live) in pregnancy
MMRVAXPRO must not be given during pregnancy, and pregnancy should be avoided for one month afterwards. If it is given shortly before conception or inadvertently during pregnancy, UK surveillance evidence is reassuring and this alone is not a reason to recommend ending the pregnancy; inform the maternity team so the exposure can be documented and discussed.
measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live) while breastfeeding
UK specialist guidance considers MMR vaccination compatible with breastfeeding. Rubella vaccine virus can pass into breast milk, but reported exposed infants did not develop symptomatic disease. Seek specialist advice if the infant is premature, unwell or immunosuppressed.
measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live) interactions
Tell the vaccination service about medicines, blood products, tests and other vaccines because these can affect safety, timing or the immune response.
Immunoglobulins, blood or plasma products
Antibodies in these products may reduce the vaccine response, so vaccination timing and follow-up must be planned by the clinical team.
Immunosuppressive medicines, including high-dose systemic corticosteroids
These may make a live vaccine unsafe or less effective. Current immunosuppressive treatment is a contraindication except for specified low-dose, topical or replacement corticosteroid use.
Other live-virus vaccines
They may be given together at separate sites or require planned separation; the vaccination service should coordinate them.
Common questions about measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live)
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live) a live vaccine?
Yes. It contains weakened measles, mumps and rubella viruses and is unsuitable for some pregnant or immunosuppressed people.
Can measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (live) cause measles, mumps or rubella?
The weakened viruses are not expected to cause these infections in healthy people, although temporary fever, rash or swollen glands can resemble mild features of them.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.