measles vaccine + mumps vaccine + rubella vaccine at a glance
Medicine class
Combined live attenuated viral vaccine.
Protects against
Measles, mumps and rubella.
Administration
Injection under the skin or into a muscle, given by a trained healthcare professional.
Current programme role
Used for eligible older children and adults requiring MMR vaccination; younger children are routinely offered MMRV.
What is measles vaccine + mumps vaccine + rubella vaccine used for?
Licensed for active immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella.
Children aged 9 months and over, adolescents and adults when vaccination is appropriate under official recommendations.
Catch-up protection for eligible people who have not completed MMR vaccination.
May provide limited protection against measles when given soon after exposure; management should follow public-health advice.
How does measles vaccine + mumps vaccine + rubella vaccine work?
It contains weakened measles, mumps and rubella viruses. These stimulate immune cells and antibodies without causing these diseases in healthy people, creating immune memory for later exposure.
How to take measles vaccine + mumps vaccine + rubella vaccine
A healthcare professional reconstitutes the powder with the supplied solvent and gives the injection under the skin or into a muscle. Tell the vaccinator about pregnancy, immune-system conditions, immunosuppressive treatment, previous severe allergies, recent blood products, bleeding disorders or previous fainting with injections.
Food does not affect vaccination.
A minor illness without a high temperature does not usually prevent vaccination; severe feverish illness generally warrants postponement.
The vaccine must never be injected into a vein.
measles vaccine + mumps vaccine + rubella vaccine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Redness, pain or swelling where the injection was given
- Fever
- A blotchy rash or feeling unwell
- Swollen glands around the cheeks, neck or jaw
- Joint aches
- Mild upper-respiratory symptoms
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling or collapse
- Seizure associated with fever
- Unusual bruising, pinpoint bleeding or prolonged bleeding
- Inflammation affecting the brain, spinal cord or nerves, with weakness, altered sensation, unsteadiness or loss of movement control
measles vaccine + mumps vaccine + rubella vaccine in pregnancy
This live vaccine should not be given during pregnancy, and pregnancy should be avoided for one month afterwards. Inadvertent vaccination shortly before or during pregnancy is not, by itself, a reason to end the pregnancy; contact a GP, midwife or specialist service for advice and surveillance reporting.
measles vaccine + mumps vaccine + rubella vaccine while breastfeeding
MMR vaccination is generally compatible with breastfeeding. Rubella vaccine virus has occasionally been detected in breast milk without symptomatic illness in infants; product-specific assessment is advised if the baby is known or suspected to be immunodeficient.
measles vaccine + mumps vaccine + rubella vaccine interactions
Tell the vaccinator about all medicines, vaccines and recent blood products because some can affect safety, test interpretation or immune response.
Immunosuppressants, including high-dose systemic corticosteroids
May make a live vaccine unsafe or reduce its effectiveness; vaccination may need to be deferred or assessed by a specialist.
Immunoglobulins and blood transfusions
Transferred antibodies can reduce the immune response, so vaccination timing must be checked by the clinical team.
Other live attenuated vaccines
They should be given at the same visit or have their timing coordinated to avoid interference.
Common questions about measles vaccine + mumps vaccine + rubella vaccine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can this vaccine be given during pregnancy?
No. It is a live vaccine and is contraindicated during pregnancy.
What if I had MMR before knowing I was pregnant?
Contact your GP or midwife for review and surveillance reporting. Inadvertent vaccination is not by itself a reason to end the pregnancy.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.