From the Guidelines
The MMR vaccine is recommended for all children at 12-15 months of age, with a second dose at 4-6 years of age 1.
Key Points
- The vaccine is also recommended for certain high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers, international travelers, and individuals with weakened immune systems 1.
- The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, and is typically administered in two doses, with at least 28 days between doses 1.
- The vaccine is usually given as a 0.5 mL injection, and the typical dose is 0.5 mL.
- Individuals who have not received the MMR vaccine or have not had the diseases should receive two doses, at least 28 days apart 1.
- The MMR vaccine is available under the brand names M-M-R II and Priorix, and the typical formulation is a live, attenuated vaccine 1.
Special Considerations
- For the first dose of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines at age 12–47 months, either MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine or MMRV vaccine may be used 1.
- A personal or family history of seizures of any etiology is a precaution for MMRV vaccination 1.
- Priorix is a newly approved MMR vaccine that is considered safe, immunogenic, and noninferior to M-M-R II 1.
From the Research
MMR Vaccine Recommendations
The MMR vaccine is recommended for routine vaccination, with a first dose administered at ages 12-15 months and a second dose at ages 4-6 years 2, 3. Two doses of MMR vaccine are also recommended for adults at high risk for exposure and transmission, such as students attending colleges or other post-high school educational institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers 2.
Special Populations
For persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination with 2 doses of MMR vaccine, with the first dose administered at age 12-15 months and the second dose at age 4-6 years 2. For measles postexposure prophylaxis, immune globulin administered intramuscularly (IGIM) is recommended for infants aged birth to 6 months exposed to measles, and immune globulin administered intravenously (IGIV) is recommended for severely immunocompromised persons and pregnant women without evidence of measles immunity who are exposed to measles 2.
Immunogenicity and Safety
Studies have shown that the MMR vaccine is immunogenic and well-tolerated in individuals aged 7 years and older 4, 5. A phase III, observer-blind, randomized controlled trial found that a second dose of MMR vaccine administered to healthy 4-6 year old children elicited immune responses that were not inferior to those of the comparator vaccine, MMR II 6. Another study found that a dose of MMR-RIT vaccine administered to healthy participants 7 years of age or older induced robust immune responses that were not inferior to those of MMR II, and was well-tolerated 5.
Key Findings
- The MMR vaccine is recommended for routine vaccination, with a first dose administered at ages 12-15 months and a second dose at ages 4-6 years 2, 3.
- Two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended for adults at high risk for exposure and transmission 2.
- The MMR vaccine is immunogenic and well-tolerated in individuals aged 7 years and older 4, 5.
- A second dose of MMR vaccine administered to healthy 4-6 year old children elicited immune responses that were not inferior to those of the comparator vaccine, MMR II 6.