MMR Vaccine

MMR combines vaccines for Measles, Mumps and Rubella into one shot. MMR has been around since 1971, although its three components were licensed separately during the 1960s. It is a live vaccine, containing measles, mumps and rubella viruses that have been “attenuated” (weakened), so they won’t cause disease. Most children who get the vaccine develop immunity to all three diseases (over 99% for measles and 95% for mumps and rubella). Protection is believed to be life-long.

            Two doses of vaccine are recommended, with the first dose given at 12–15 months of age. The second dose may be given 4 weeks after the first, but it is usually given at 4–6 years.

            Measles, mumps and rubella vaccines may be given separately, although these individual vaccines are not always readily available. Doctors usually prefer not to give the vaccines this way because it means giving a child 3 shots instead of one.