What is MMR?
MMR stands for measles, mumps, and rubella – three highly dangerous viral infections that lead to serious illness
Measles
A highly contagious virus, measles is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system. A tell-tale sign of measles is a skin rash covering the whole body. Usually, measles symptoms occur within 7-14 days of exposure and include…
- Watery Eyes
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Runny Nose
- Inflamed Eyes
- Rash on skin and inside of the mouth
Measles is highly dangerous and potentially fatal in small children, so the MMR vaccine is vital in protecting your child
Mumps
Another contagious viral infection. Although it could affect any part of the body, mumps usually affects the salivary glands, also called the parotid glands. Saliva and mucus easily spread the virus that is most common in children who aren’t vaccinated. Mumps symptoms include…
- Fever
- Tender Salivary Glands
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
Once a widespread disease, the MMR vaccine significantly decreased the number of mumps cases in the United States.
Rubella
Also a contagious viral infection, rubella leads to a red rash similar to measles. Rubella is a milder form of measles but can still be very dangerous. Symptoms of rubella include…
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Rash
- Headache
- Eye irritation
- Arthritis
Rubella is especially dangerous in pregnant women and could lead to miscarriage or birth defects.
Given the severity and commonality of measles, mumps, and rubella, the MMR vaccine is now one of the most common childhood vaccines. In some cases, your medical provider may recommend the MMRV shot, which contains the varicella vaccine to protect against chickenpox.
About the MMR Vaccine
The MMR Vaccine is vital in protecting children under the age of 5 against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Children usually receive two doses of the MMR vaccine to promote its effectiveness. The general childhood immunization schedule includes…
- The first MMR dosage is typically administered between nine (9) and 15 months old.
- The second MMR vaccine dose is administered to children between four (4) and six (6) years old.
The second dose of the MMR vaccine could be given earlier than four if 28 days have passed since the first MMR vaccine dose. A child can receive the first dose as early as nine months. But your doctor may recommend administering the MMR vaccine to a child after 12 months of age. The measles vaccine, mumps vaccine, and rubella vaccine can be given individually. But the MMR vaccine protects against all three viruses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highly recommends the MMR vaccine for all individuals. Most schools and colleges in the United States require proof of immunity to attend. You can prove MMR immunity with documentation of two doses of the MMR vaccine given 28 days apart. The MMR vaccine has widely prevented measles, mumps, and rubella in the United States. But MMR, specifically measles, is still prevalent in some parts of the world. The vaccine is vital in protecting against these diseases, especially when traveling internationally.
