Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

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This page provides information on the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. For the Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (MMRV) vaccine, see the MMRV factsheet.

What is Measles?

Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a highly contagious virus. It is a virus that is easily spread through the air, from person to person, through breathing, coughing or sneezing. For more information, visit our Measles page.

What is Mumps?

Mumps is a viral infection that can cause fever, headaches and swelling of the salivary glands in the cheeks and jaw. It can lead to swelling of the lining covering the brain and spinal cord, deafness, gentile infection and miscarriages.

Mumps is spread through coughing, sneezing or simply talking with an infected person. It can also be spread through contact with the saliva of an infected person.

What is Rubella?

Rubella is a viral infection that can be very dangerous in pregnant women. Complications in pregnant women can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) which can lead to major birth defects, miscarriage or stillbirth. Babies with CRS can suffer from:

• deafness
• eye, heart and brain defects
• lifelong mental and physical disabilities

Rubella is usually a mild illness in children; half of the infections with rubella occur without a rash. The disease can be more severe in older children and adults, especially women. Complications include internal bleeding, inflammation of the brain or a viral infection of the brain.

Rubella spreads by contact with an infected person through coughing, sneezing or talking to them. It can also be spread through contact with the saliva of an infected person.

MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine is a three-in-one vaccine. After two doses, 99 per cent of individuals are protected against measles, 95 per cent against mumps and about 98 per cent of people against rubella. Protection from measles, mumps and rubella after getting the two doses of vaccine is most likely life-long. Vaccination also makes these diseases milder for those who may become infected.

Who should get the MMR vaccine?

Due to the ongoing Measles outbreak in Ontario there may be additional vaccine recommendations. Visit our Measles page for more up to date information.

Adults born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired natural immunity to measles. Adults born in 1970 or later should receive one dose of MMR.

A second dose of MMR is recommended for all children, young adults (ages 18–25 years), post-secondary students, health care workers, those who plan to travel internationally and those who received killed measles vaccine (1967-1970).

Consider one dose of MMR for infants over six months of age if travelling to a high risk area. Infants who get one dose of measles vaccine before their first birthday, should receive an additional two doses after their first birthday (one dose at 12–15 months of age and another dose at least 28 days later.

Who should not get the MMR vaccine?

• Anyone who is ill with a fever or infection worse than a cold
• Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a prior dose of this vaccine
• Anyone taking medication that lowers the body’s ability to fight infections
• Pregnant women (avoid pregnancy for one month following immunization)
• Anyone who is allergic to an antibiotic called neomycin
• Anyone who received a gamma globulin shot within the past three to 12 months, (depending on the dose and method of administration)
• Anyone who has an allergy to any component of the vaccine including gelatin (MMR II), or neomycin

Side effects

MMR vaccine may cause a mild fever, rash or swelling of the glands in the neck in one out of seven children about six to 10 days after getting the shot and lasting for one to two days. Up to one in four teenage girls and adult women may get painful swelling of some joints one to three weeks after vaccination. The joint pain and swelling usually lasts only a few days. Very rarely, chronic arthritis may occur.

There is no risk of a pregnant woman or anyone else catching measles, mumps or rubella from a child who has been vaccinated recently. It is safe to give this vaccine to women who are breastfeeding.

When should I seek medical attention?

Severe reactions are rare. If you develop hives, swelling of the face or mouth, trouble breathing, serious drowsiness or other serious problems seek immediate medical attention

Questions?

Talk to your health care provider or contact Public Health at 519-575-4400.