Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live (MMR Vaccine) (By injection)
MEE-zuls VYE-rus VAX-een, lyve, mumps VYE-rus VAX-een, lyve, roo-BELL-a VYE-rus VAX-een, lyve
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
Prevents infection by the measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella (German measles) viruses. MMR vaccine is usually used in children 12 months of age or older and in adults.
Drug classes
Vaccine (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine live is an active immunizing agent used to prevent infection by the measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. It works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus.
Measles (also known as coughing measles, hard measles, morbilli, red measles, rubeola, and 10-day measles) is an infection that is easily spread from one person to another. Infection with measles can cause serious problems, such as stomach problems, pneumonia, ear infections, sinus problems, convulsions (seizures), brain damage, and possibly death. The risk of serious complications and death is greater for adults and infants than for children and teenagers.
Mumps is an infection that can cause serious problems, such as encephalitis and meningitis, which affect the brain. In addition, adolescent boys and men are very susceptible to a condition called orchitis, which causes pain and swelling in the testicles and scrotum and, in rare cases, sterility. Also, mumps infection can cause spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) in women during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Rubella (also known as German measles) is a serious infection that causes miscarriages, stillbirths, or birth defects in unborn babies when pregnant women get the disease.
While immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella is recommended for all persons 12 months of age and older, it is especially important for women of childbearing age and persons traveling outside the U.S.
If measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is to be given to a child, the child should be at least 12 months of age. This is to make sure the measles vaccine is effective. In a younger child, antibodies from the mother may interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine.
This vaccine should be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. This shot is usually given the upper arm.
Your child should receive a shot at 12 to 15 months of age and a second shot before starting grade school or middle school.
If your child receives a shot before 12 months of age, your child should receive another shot between 12 and 15 months of age and a second shot before starting grade school or middle school.
You may need to receive a shot if you are traveling to another country.
If a dose is missed:
It is important to receive this vaccine at the proper time. If you must miss a shot, make another appointment as soon as possible.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Immune globulin should not be given at the same time as the MMR vaccine.
When Not To Use
This vaccine should not be given to adults or children who have had an allergic reaction to neomycin, gelatin, MMR vaccine, or the individual measles, rubella, or mumps vaccines. You should not receive this vaccine if you are pregnant. People who have an infection with fever or problems with the immune system should not receive the vaccine. Make sure the doctor knows if your child or you has blood or bone marrow problems (such as cancer).
Warnings
Make sure the doctor knows if the person receiving this vaccine is pregnant or breastfeeding, or if there is a history of brain injury or seizures. Tell the doctor if your child or you has bleeding problems, HIV, or tuberculosis.
Tell your doctor if you or your child has had a severe allergic reaction to eggs.
Tell your doctor if you or your child has had any blood transfusions or received immune globulin in the past 3 months.
Women who receive this vaccine should wait 3 months before getting pregnant.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
High fever (over 103 degrees F)
Severe or long lasting headache, confusion
Unusual bleeding or bruising
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Fever (less than 103 degrees F), sore throat, mild headache, swelling of neck glands, pain in joints
Mild burning, pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
M-M-R II
There may be other brand names for this medicine.