Key points
- Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended by doctors as the best way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella.
- Children may get 2 doses of MMRV vaccine instead.
- MMR and MMRV vaccines usually protect people for life against measles and rubella; but immunity against mumps may decrease over time.
Introduction
The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children may get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead, which protects against chickenpox too.
Most people who are vaccinated with MMR or MMRV will be protected for life. Vaccines and high rates of vaccination have made these diseases much less common in the United States, compared to the period before these vaccines were available.
Available vaccines
There are two vaccines that protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR and MMRV vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
MMR
- Contains a combination of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines.
- Two MMR vaccines are available for use in the United States: M-M-R II and PRIORIX. Both are recommended similarly and considered interchangeable.
MMRV
- Contains a combination of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines.
- This vaccine is licensed for use only in children who are 12 months through 12 years of age.
Recommendations
The MMR and MMRV vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Your healthcare provider can give you more information about each and which to get.
MMR
Children — All children are recommended to have 2 doses of MMR vaccines. Doses are given at:
12–15 months old
4–6 years old
Adults — Adults are recommended to have at least 1 documented dose of MMR. Some adults at higher risk are recommended to have 2 doses if they don't have other evidence of immunity.[A] Doses should be separated at least 28 days apart.
Travelers — Anyone traveling internationally should be fully vaccinated before traveling. Infants 6–11 months old should get 1 dose of the MMR vaccine before travel. Then they should get 2 more doses after their first birthday.
People at increased risk during a measles outbreak — An additional dose of MMR may be needed if you or your child have 1 documented MMR dose. Public health authorities will notify you if you are at increased risk and should receive MMR in response to the outbreak. Public health authorities may also recommend vaccination for infants 6–11 months of age if they are at risk for measles exposure.
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MMRV
Children 12 months through 12 years of age may be given 2 doses of MMRV vaccine. Each dose is usually given at:
12–15 months old
4–6 years old
2nd dose (can also be given 3 months after 1st dose)
*CDC recommends that separate MMR and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines be given for the first dose in children aged 12–47 months.
Read more: MMR or MMRV Vaccine: Discussing Options with Parents | CDC
After exposure to measles, mumps, or rubella
If you don't have immunity[A] against these diseases and become exposed to them, talk with your doctor about getting MMR vaccine. It is not harmful to get MMR vaccine after being exposed to measles, mumps, or rubella.
If you get MMR vaccine within 72 hours of initially being exposed to measles, you may get some protection against recent exposure; or have milder illness. Getting vaccinated with MMR will also provide long-term protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. In other cases, people at high risk of severe disease may be given a medicine called immune globulin (IG) within 6 days of being exposed to measles. This may provide protection against the disease or make the illness milder.
Why getting vaccinated is important
The MMR vaccine protects your child from measles, mumps, and rubella, potentially serious diseases caused by viruses. The risks of getting one of these viruses is high for people who do not get the MMR vaccine, if they are exposed. The vaccine keeps your child from missing school or childcare; and you from missing work to care for your sick child. Vaccination also limits the size, duration, and spread of outbreaks.
For measles: MMR vaccine protects your child from getting an uncomfortable rash and high fever from measles, and potential complications.
For mumps: MMR vaccine protects your child from getting a fever and swollen glands under the ears or jaw from mumps.
For rubella: MMR vaccine prevents your child from getting a rash and fever from rubella. The vaccine also prevents your child from spreading rubella to a pregnant woman whose unborn baby could develop serious birth defects or die if the mother gets rubella.
Who might need an additional dose
All adults who do not have evidence of immunity[A] should be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella with at least 1 dose of MMR vaccine. However, some adults are recommended to have 2 doses. These include:
- Students at post-high school educational institutions
- Healthcare personnel
- International travelers
- Adults who are household contacts or other close contacts of people who are immunocompromised
- Adults living with HIV who are not severely immunocompromised
- Groups at increased risk because of an outbreak
Who shouldn't get vaccinated
Some people should not get the MMR vaccine, or they should wait. People should check with their healthcare provider about whether they should get the vaccine if they:
- Have had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of MMR or MMRV vaccine, or have any severe, life-threatening allergies.
- Are or may be pregnant. Wait to get MMR vaccine until after you are no longer pregnant. Avoid getting pregnant for at least 1 month after getting MMR vaccine.
- Have a weakened immune system due to disease or medical treatments; or have a family member with a history of immune system problems.
- Have ever had a condition that makes them bruise or bleed easily.
- Have recently had a blood transfusion or received other blood products. You might be advised to postpone MMR vaccination for 3 months or more.
- Have tuberculosis.
- Have gotten any other vaccines in the past 4 weeks.
- Are feeling unwell or severely ill. Your doctor can advise you.
Additionally, people should wait to get the MMRV vaccine and tell their provider if they:
- Have a history of seizures, or have a parent, brother, or sister with a history of seizures.
- Are taking or plan to take salicylates (such as aspirin).
The vaccine is safe and effective
MMR vaccination is the best way to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella.
The MMR vaccine is very safe. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own.
There is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Scientists in the United States and other countries have carefully studied the MMR vaccine. None have found a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.
It is safe for breastfeeding women to receive MMR vaccination. Breastfeeding does not interfere with the response to MMR vaccine; and the baby will not be affected by the vaccine through breast milk.
One dose of MMR vaccine is:
- 93% effective against measles
- 72% effective against mumps
- 97% effective against rubella*
Two doses of MMR vaccine are:
- 97% effective against measles
- 86% effective against mumps
*Studies indicate that one dose of vaccine confers long-term, probably lifelong, protection against rubella.
Some vaccinated people may still get measles, mumps, or rubella if they are exposed to the viruses. It could be that their immune systems didn’t respond as well as they should have to the vaccine; their immune systems' ability to fight the infection decreased over time; or they have prolonged, close contact with someone who has a virus. However, disease symptoms are generally milder in vaccinated people. They are also less likely to spread the disease to other people.
Possible side effects
Most people don't have any side effects from the vaccine. The side effects that do occur are usually mild, and may include:
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the vaccine was given
- Fever
- Mild rash
- Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints
More serious side effects are rare. These may include high fever that could cause a seizure.
Finding and paying for the vaccine
Your or your child’s doctor’s office is usually the best place to receive recommended vaccines. Vaccines may also be available at pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics, health departments, schools, or religious centers.
Vaccine costs
There are a few ways to cover the cost of vaccines:
Health insurance
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of MMR vaccines. However, you may want to check with your insurance provider before going to a healthcare provider. Check for cost information and for a list of in-network vaccine providers.
Vaccines for Children Program
Your children may be able to get no-cost vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. This program helps families of eligible children who may not be able to afford or have access to vaccines.
Frequently asked questions
Childcare and school vaccination requirements are determined by state law. There is no federal law that makes such vaccination requirements.
Students in school settings have a higher likelihood of spreading disease because they are constantly in close contact with each other. MMR vaccine prevents outbreaks in these settings, which means:
- Less illness and less school time missed by students.
- Less chance of exposing people who cannot get vaccinated, including family members.
If you're unsure whether you've been vaccinated, you should first try to find your vaccination records. If you don't have written documentation of MMR vaccine or other evidence of immunity, you should get vaccinated, especially if you're traveling internationally.
The MMR vaccine is safe. There's no harm in getting another dose if you may already be immune to measles, mumps, or rubella.
If you received a measles vaccine in the 1960s, you may not need to be revaccinated. People who have documentation of receiving LIVE measles vaccine in the 1960s do not need to be revaccinated. People vaccinated prior to 1968 with either inactivated (killed) measles vaccine or measles vaccine of unknown type should be revaccinated. They should get at least 1 dose of live attenuated measles vaccine. This recommendation is intended to protect those who may have received killed measles vaccine. This vaccine was available in 1963–1967 and was not effective.
- Acceptable evidence of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella includes at least one of the following: 1) Written documentation of adequate vaccination, 2) Laboratory evidence of immunity, 3) Laboratory confirmation of disease, or 4) Birth before 1957. Before vaccines were available, nearly everyone was infected with these viruses during childhood. Most born before 1957 are likely to have been infected naturally and therefore are presumed to be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella. Healthcare personnel born before 1957 without laboratory evidence of immunity or disease should consider getting 2 doses of MMR vaccine.