
The MMR vaccine protects against three viruses: measles, mumps, and rubella. MMR vaccines contain live, attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. The first dose of the MMR vaccine is typically administered at 12 to 15 months of age, with a second dose given at 4 to 6 years of age. While two doses of the MMR vaccine provide effective protection against all three viruses, immunity against mumps may decrease over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Protect against measles, mumps, and rubella |
| Dosage | Two doses: first at 12-15 months, second at 4-6 years |
| Administration | Intramuscular or subcutaneous injection |
| Volume | 0.5 mL |
| Contraindications | History of hypersensitivity to components, including gelatin, history of anaphylactic reaction to neomycin, immunodeficiency, active febrile illness, untreated tuberculosis, pregnancy or planned pregnancy |
| Adverse Reactions | Fever, rash, injection-site reactions, headache, dizziness, febrile convulsions, anaphylaxis, arthritis, thrombocytopenia, encephalitis, encephalopathy |
Explore related products
$20.41 $21.95
What You'll Learn
- Live, attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella viruses
- Contraindications: hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reaction, immunodeficiency, febrile illness, and pregnancy
- Adverse reactions: fever, rash, headache, dizziness, and anaphylaxis
- Dosage and schedule: two doses, first at 12-15 months, second at 4-6 years
- MMRV includes live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus

Live, attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella viruses
The MMR vaccine protects against three viruses: measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR vaccine contains live, attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. This means that the viruses are still alive but have been weakened so they cannot cause serious disease in people with healthy immune systems.
Live, attenuated vaccines work by inducing a mild immune response in the body, which then provides protection against the actual disease. The MMR vaccine is given as a 0.5 mL dose, administered either intramuscularly or subcutaneously. The first dose is typically given when a child is between 12 and 15 months old, with a second dose administered at 4 to 6 years of age.
While the MMR vaccine is generally very safe, there are certain contraindications and precautions to be aware of. For example, individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, including gelatin, or those with a history of anaphylactic reaction to neomycin, should not receive the vaccine. Additionally, individuals who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed due to disease or medical therapy, as well as those with an active febrile illness or untreated tuberculosis, are typically advised against receiving the MMR vaccine.
Pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant within the next month are also advised to avoid the MMR vaccine. Caution should be exercised when administering the vaccine to individuals with a history of febrile seizures or a family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency. In such cases, it is recommended to evaluate the individual's immune status before proceeding with the vaccination.
Overall, the MMR vaccine is an important tool in protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella. The live, attenuated viruses in the vaccine induce a mild immune response, providing long-term protection against these diseases. While there are certain considerations and potential adverse reactions to be aware of, the MMR vaccine is generally safe and effective for individuals 12 months of age or older.
Cold Storage: mRNA Vaccine Efficacy Preserved
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Contraindications: hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reaction, immunodeficiency, febrile illness, and pregnancy
The MMR vaccine protects against three viruses: measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMRV vaccine also protects against the varicella-zoster virus.
The following conditions are contraindications for the MMR vaccine, meaning that they greatly increase the risk of a serious adverse reaction, and the vaccine should not be administered:
Hypersensitivity and Anaphylactic Reaction
Those who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of the MMR vaccine or to a vaccine component should not receive the MMR vaccine. Anaphylactic allergy to latex is also a contraindication, though this is specific to the RV1 vaccine.
Immunodeficiency
People with known severe immunodeficiency should not receive the MMR vaccine. This includes those with immunodeficiency caused by hematologic and solid tumours, receipt of chemotherapy, congenital immunodeficiency, or long-term immunosuppressive therapy. HIV-infected people who are severely immunocompromised or receiving regular doses of IGIV are also unlikely to respond to the MMR vaccine.
Febrile Illness
The MMR vaccine should not be administered to individuals with a moderate or severe illness. For hospitalised patients, the vaccination should be postponed until the immediate post-hospitalisation follow-up care when clinical symptoms have improved.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women should not receive live, attenuated virus vaccines due to the theoretical risk to the fetus.
Part D Vaccines: $0 Copay Eligibility with Aetna
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$399.99 $409.98

Adverse reactions: fever, rash, headache, dizziness, and anaphylaxis
The MMR vaccine is a live vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened version of the measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. While the vaccine is suitable for most people, it is not recommended for those with weakened immune systems or those who have previously experienced a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any of its ingredients, including gelatine or neomycin.
Like all medicines, the MMR vaccine can cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them. Common side effects are usually mild and only last 2 to 3 days. They include a raised, blotchy rash, fever, swollen glands in the cheeks, neck and jaw, and aching joints. These side effects are similar to mild forms of the diseases the vaccine protects against.
More serious adverse reactions, such as anaphylaxis, are rare. However, those administering the vaccine are trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
Other possible adverse reactions to the MMR vaccine include fever, headache, and dizziness. Fever is one of the most common adverse events following the MMR vaccine, with studies indicating that for every 10,000 children who receive their first MMR vaccine between the ages of 12-23 months, about four will experience a febrile seizure during the 7-10 days following vaccination. This risk is doubled for children of the same age group who receive the combined MMRV vaccine. Additionally, there is a small increased risk of febrile seizures among children younger than 7 years old, occurring in about 1 out of 3,000-4,000 children vaccinated with the MMR vaccine.
Headache and dizziness may also occur as adverse reactions to the MMR vaccine, although they are not specifically mentioned in the sources provided. However, it is important to note that the MMR vaccine can cause temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, particularly in individuals who did not previously have immunity to rubella.
TB Vaccine: Available in the US?
You may want to see also

Dosage and schedule: two doses, first at 12-15 months, second at 4-6 years
The MMR vaccine is a two-dose vaccine, with the first dose administered when a child is between 12 and 15 months old, and the second dose administered when they are between four and six years old. The second dose can be administered earlier, as long as at least 28 days have passed since the first dose.
The MMR vaccine is crucial for protecting children against measles, mumps, and rubella. While two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended, infants aged 6-11 months old should receive one dose of the MMR vaccine before travelling internationally or if there is an ongoing community-wide measles transmission. This early dose is carefully considered, weighing the risks of potential long-term impacts on their immune system.
After receiving the first dose before their first birthday, children should receive two more doses according to the recommended schedule. The first dose is given at 12 to 15 months, and the second at 4 to 6 years of age. This schedule ensures the child is protected against these potentially serious diseases.
In the US, the MMR vaccine is recommended for children aged 12 months to 12 years. Older children, adolescents, and adults who do not have evidence of immunity may also need one or two doses of the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is typically given in two doses, with each dose separated by at least 28 days.
Local Health: Vaccination Offerings and Disease Prevention
You may want to see also

MMRV includes live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus
The MMR vaccine is a shot that protects against three viruses: measles, mumps, and rubella. Healthcare providers recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine, which contains live, attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. The MMRV vaccine, on the other hand, is a combination of the MMR vaccine and the varicella-zoster virus vaccine. MMRV includes live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus, in addition to measles, mumps, and rubella viruses.
The varicella-zoster virus, also known as chickenpox, is a common and highly contagious illness characterized by an itchy rash with blisters. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which belongs to the herpes virus family. While chickenpox is typically a childhood disease, it can also occur in adolescents and adults, and the risk of complications increases with age. The addition of the varicella-zoster virus vaccine to the MMR vaccine provides protection against chickenpox.
The MMRV vaccine is recommended for children aged 12 months to 12 years. It is a live, attenuated vaccine, which means that it contains weakened forms of the viruses. These weakened viruses cannot cause the full-blown illness in individuals with healthy immune systems. However, after vaccination, the immune system recognizes the viruses and develops the tools to fight them off if exposed in the future, providing immunity.
The immunogenicity of the MMRV vaccine, or the ability to induce an immune response, has been studied in infants aged 9-24 months. Results show that the geometric mean titers for antibodies against all vaccine antigens, including the varicella-zoster virus, increased after the second dose relative to the first. This indicates a stronger immune response and higher protection against the targeted diseases.
The tolerability profile of the MMRV vaccine is comparable to that of separately administered MMR and varicella-zoster vaccines or the MMR vaccine alone. The most frequent adverse events reported are injection-site redness and fever. Overall, the MMRV vaccine is considered safe and effective in providing protection against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella-zoster viruses.
Chickenpox Vaccine: What's Its Name?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The MMR vaccine contains live, attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella viruses.
The MMRV vaccine contains the same ingredients as the MMR vaccine, with the addition of the live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus.
The MMR vaccine is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its components, including gelatin, as well as those with a history of anaphylactic reaction to neomycin.
Some of the adverse reactions that have been identified during clinical trials or reported during post-approval use include fever, rash, injection-site reactions, headache, dizziness, febrile convulsions, anaphylaxis, arthritis, thrombocytopenia, encephalitis, and encephalopathy.
















