MMR Vaccine (Cont.)

Who Does Not Need the MMR Vaccine?

You do not need the MMR vaccine if:
 
  • You had blood tests that show you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella
  • You are a man born before 1957
  • You are a woman born before 1957, who is sure she is not having more children, has already had rubella vaccine, or has had a positive rubella test
  • You already had two doses of MMR vaccine, or one dose of MMR plus a second dose of measles vaccine
  • You already had one dose of MMR vaccine, and are not at high risk of measles exposure.
     

Who Should Get the MMR Vaccine?

You should get the MMR vaccine if you are not among the categories listed above, and:
 
  • You are a college student, trade school student, or other student beyond high school
  • You work in a hospital or other medical facility
  • You travel internationally, or are a passenger on a cruise ship
  • You are a woman of childbearing age.
     

Schedule for MMR Vaccine

Most infants born in the United States will receive passive protection against measles, mumps, and rubella in the form of antibodies from their mothers. These antibodies can destroy the vaccine virus if they are present when the vaccine is administered, and cause it to be ineffective. By 12 months of age, almost all infants have lost this passive protection; therefore, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given at 12-15 months.
 
The second dose of MMR vaccine can be given any time, as long as the child is at least 12 months old, and it has been at least a month since the first dose; however, the second MMR vaccine dose is usually given before the child begins kindergarten, or first grade (4-5 years of age), or before entry to middle school (11-12 years of age). The age at which the second dose is required is generally mandated by state school-entry requirements.
 
Some adults should also get MMR vaccine. Generally, anyone 18 years of age or older, who was born after 1956, should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine, unless they can show that they have had either the vaccines or the diseases.
 
(MMR Vaccine Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;