MMR Vaccine
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine protects against three viral infections that can cause severe illness and significant long-term medical problems.
Measles is a respiratory infection that causes flu-like symptoms, rash, and ear infection. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and brain damage. Mumps infection causes fever, headache, and swollen glands (e.g., salivary glands) and can lead to deafness, meningitis, and in boys, painful swelling of the testicles. Rubella, which is also called German measles, affects the skin and the lymph nodes and may cause complications, such as arthritis and birth defects (if infection occurs during pregnancy).
MMR should not be given to children with allergies to eggs, gelatin, or neomycin. It also should not be given to children who have received gamma globulin; or who are taking prednisone, steroids, or immunosuppressive drugs; or who have leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancers; or to children who are being treated with chemotherapy or radiation.
Immunization schedule—MMR is administered as follows:
- Dose 1 at 12–15 months of age
- Dose 2 at 4–6 years of age (before entering school)
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 28 Aug 2008
Reviewed by: Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 17 Jun 2008
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