Measles, Mumps, And Rubella Vaccine

Alternate Names
MMR immunization
MMR vaccine
MMR vaccination



Definition of Measles, Mumps, And Rubella Vaccine

Some vaccines contained killed viruses or bacteria; others contain specific parts or subunits of these organisms. A third type of vaccine is made by weakening, or attenuating, a bacteria or virus so that it can still infect and reproduce in a person, but not cause disease. In each case, the strategy is to stimulate a person's immune system to produce cells or antibodies that fight against the real disease, should it ever be encountered. The combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine represents this third kind of attenuated vaccine. All the diseases are viral infections that can be serious:

• measles, which can cause rash, fever, ear infection, pneumonia, brain damage, and, rarely, death
• mumps, which can cause swollen glands, fever, diseases that can damage the brain and nervous system, painfully swollen testicles or ovaries, and, rarely, death
• rubella (formerly known as German measles), which can cause rash, joint pain, diseases that can damage the brain and nerve cells, miscarriage, and serious birth defects in an unborn child
• varicella (chickenpox), which causes an itchy rash with skin blebs. It is usually not serious in children but can be more so in adults, pregnant women, and small infants. In addition, a person who has had chickenpox can develop a painful complication called shingles many years later.

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

The vaccine protects best against these four diseases if the first shot is given before a child is 2 years old.

The U.S. government and national organizations of doctors currently recommend:

• one shot when a child is between 12 and 15 months old
• a second shot, or booster shot, when a child is between 4 and 6 years old

Most children, teen, and adults through middle age who were not vaccinated at these times can still benefit from vaccination.

Measles does not currently circulate in the United States, but cases continue to occur because of spread from other countries where measles is still common. Like many viral illnesses, measles has more serious health effects among teens and adults than among children.

Mumps is of special concern to males because it may cause infertility.

Rubella may cause miscarriage or birth defects if a woman catches it during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Chickenpox can be severe in an adult and in pregnant women.

The best schedule for unvaccinated children and adults should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

A woman who is considering pregnancy should check with her healthcare professional to be sure she is up to date on all of her immunizations. If she has not received the necessary doses of MMRV vaccine, she should get it prior to becoming pregnant. This will insure that the unborn baby is not put at risk should the mother develop one of these infections while pregnant. To be effective, the vaccine must be given at least 3 months prior to pregnancy.

People with certain health conditions should not receive the MMRV vaccine.

Vaccination should be discussed with a healthcare professional if a child or adult:

• has an immunodeficiency disorder or cancer
• is being treated with steroids or other medications that affect the immune system
• is pregnant or planning to get pregnant within the next 3 months
• has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to certain substances, like eggs

How is the procedure performed?

The shot is given into the muscle of the upper arm or thigh.

What happens right after the procedure?

The site of the shot may sting slightly. A bandage is usually put on it to stop any bleeding.

What happens later at home?

The vaccine causes few or no problems for most people.

But any of these rare reactions should be reported right away to a healthcare professional:

• high fever, possibly with seizures, within 1 to 2 weeks of the immunization
• signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, a fast heart rate, dizziness, or hives, within a few hours of the shot
• other unusual conditions, including behavior changes

What are the potential complications after the procedure?

Often the vaccine causes no problems. Sometimes a fever, mild rash, or, rarely, swollen glands in the neck occur within 7 to 12 days. Temporary joint pain and stiffness is possible, too.

Rare complications include:

• seizure
• allergic reactions
• a blood disorder

Very rarely, these severe problems been reported following a dose of vaccine:

• deafness
• long-term seizures
• coma
• brain damage

It is not possible to determine whether these events were caused by the vaccine or were due to a coincidence in timing of vaccination.

The consumer health information on Activeforever.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen.