Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) immunization for children

General information
Measles (rubeola) is an acute viral infection that affects the respiratory tract and skin, sometimes causing serious or fatal complications. Mumps is an infection that creates painful swelling of the salivary glands. In adults, mumps may be complicated by sterility and deafness. Rubella (also known as German measles or three day measles) is a viral infection that affects the skin and lymph glands. If contracted during pregnancy, rubella may cause birth defects or even death for the unborn baby. Measles, mumps and rubella were once common illnesses, but today most children are protected from them thanks to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The vaccine is a live vaccine containing weakened measles, mumps and rubella viruses.

Recommendations/dose
Routine immunizations are given between ages 12 months to 15 months.
Unvaccinated older children can begin or complete the series anytime, with the second dose given at least four weeks after the first. (If the MMR vaccine is not given at the same time as the chickenpox vaccine, wait at least one month between the two immunizations.)

If an unvaccinated child is exposed to the measles (rubeola) virus, receiving the vaccine within three days of exposure may prevent measles from developing. (This will not help with exposure to the mumps or rubella viruses.)


Effectiveness/booster
The vaccine is 95 percent effective in preventing all three diseases after the first dose. A booster is given between ages 4 and 6 years, which increases the vaccines effectiveness to 99 percent.

Side effects
Side effects are uncommon. When they occur, they usually become apparent one to three weeks later.
Delayed reactions, which may occur one to two weeks later, include:

fever of 101°F to 103°F or higher, for two to three days
febrile seizure
rash for one to two days
rarely, swelling of the lymph glands in the neck, cheeks or under the jaw
Other reactions may include:

mild pain and stiffness in one or more joints, beginning one to three weeks later, lasting three days or more (Occurs more commonly adolescent and adult women.)
within two months, there may be a temporary decrease in the number of platelets (thrombocytopenia)
very rarely, an allergic reaction
There have been concerns raised about a potential relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. The Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics have found no convincing evidence to support this concern.


Who should wait to receive the vaccine
The vaccine may be postponed if your child has a moderate to severe acute illness. It may also be postponed if the child has received a blood product containing an antibody (such as platelets, a blood transfusion or an immune globulin) within the last three to 11 months (depending on the product) or will receive such a product in the next two weeks.

Who should not receive the vaccine
Your child should not receive the vaccine if he or she had a severe allergic reaction to gelatin, neomycin or a prior dose of the vaccine. Your doctor may not recommend these vaccines if your child's immune system is not functioning properly or he or she has had thrombocytopenia.