The MMR vaccine is a key component of your child's immunization schedule. Here's a look at the diseases it protects against, plus why these shots are so important.
What is the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine contains weakened measles (M), mumps (M) and rubella (R) viruses.
There are two MMR vaccines licensed for use in the United States that provide protection against measles, mumps and rubella. The other vaccine, called MMRV, also protects against chickenpox (varicella). MMRV can be used in children 12 months to 12 years of age. However, the MMRV vaccine has an increased risk of fever and seizures (sometimes associated with fever) than receiving MMR and varicella as two separate vaccines.
What does the MMR vaccine protect against?
The MMR vaccine delivers protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing and even breathing. It can cause a rash all over the body, fever, runny nose, eye irritation and cough. Measles can result in an ear infection and also progress to pneumonia, infection of the brain (encephalitis), seizures, permanent brain damage and even death.
Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world and is a leading, preventable cause of infant mortality globally. Each year, measles kills almost 140,000 people around the world.[1]
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared the disease eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 (meaning it was not continuously transmitted for at least 12 months), there have been measles outbreaks in the U.S. more recently, especially among people who have not been vaccinated. In 2019, there were nearly 1,300 cases of measles confirmed in 31 states, more than any year since 1992.[2]
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Travelers can bring measles into the U.S. from countries where the disease still exists, and they can spread measles to people who are unvaccinated, including those who refuse to be vaccinated or those who can't get the vaccine because they're too young or have specific health conditions.
Mumps
Mumps is spread through saliva or mucus and causes headache, fever, loss of appetite, muscle pain and inflammation of the salivary glands that leads to swollen cheeks and jaws.
Mumps can cause complications such as meningitis and hearing loss, especially in people who are not vaccinated. Even though the vaccine has drastically reduced mumps cases, outbreaks continue to occur in the U.S.
Rubella
Also known as German measles, rubella is spread through respiratory secretions from an infected person who coughs or sneezes. It causes a slight fever, rash, swollen tender glands at the back of the neck and, occasionally, arthritis-like symptoms in the joints.
Sometimes the symptoms are so mild that they're missed. However, the greatest danger from rubella is to unborn babies who, if their mothers contract rubella during early pregnancy, are at risk of being stillborn or born deaf, blind, mentally impaired or with brain or heart defects.
So immunization in early childhood is recommended — both to reduce the risk of infected children exposing pregnant women, including their own mothers, and to ensure female babies will also be protected when they reach childbearing age.
When will my baby get the MMR vaccine?
The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine.[3] The first is given at 12 to 15 months, the second between 4 and 6 years of age (though it can be given any time 28 days or more after the first dose).
For babies who will be traveling internationally, however, a dose is recommended between 6 and 12 months. Kids who receive their first dose before a year of age should still receive the two recommended doses per the above schedule.
Does the MMR vaccine have any side effects or risks?
The odds of your child experiencing any side effects to the MMR vaccine are very small. Typical vaccine reactions such as sore arm or redness at the injection may occur shortly after receiving the vaccine and are usually mild. Other reactions such as fever and/or rash may occur six to 12 days later. The rash will go away on its own and is not contagious or concerning in any way.
Studies have repeatedly and definitively shown there is absolutely no link between the MMR vaccine and autism or other developmental disorders.[4]
MMR vaccination for adults
Women who are planning to get pregnant need to be up-to-date on their MMR vaccine. Adults who received two doses of the MMR vaccine as children are considered protected for life and usually don't need a booster dose, though one may be necessary if you're at risk because of a mumps outbreak.
If you're unsure whether you were vaccinated or need a booster dose, talk with your health care provider — there's no harm in getting the MMR vaccine again if you already received it.
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