From the Guidelines
Children should receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine: the first dose at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 1. The MMR vaccine is highly effective, with about 97% of people developing immunity after two doses, and it works by introducing a weakened form of the measles virus that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies without causing disease 1.
Key Recommendations
- The first dose of MMR vaccine should be administered at 12-15 months of age, and the second dose at 4-6 years of age 1.
- 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, but MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine are recommended unless the parent or caregiver expresses a preference for MMRV vaccine 1.
- For the second dose of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines at any age (15 months–12 years) and for the first dose at age ≥48 months, use of MMRV vaccine is generally preferred over separate injections of its equivalent component vaccines 1.
Special Considerations
- Adults born after 1957 who have no evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine, and those at higher risk, such as healthcare workers, international travelers, and college students, should receive two doses, separated by at least 28 days 1.
- The vaccine is contraindicated for pregnant women, severely immunocompromised individuals, and those with severe allergic reactions to vaccine components 1.
- Minor side effects may include fever, mild rash, and temporary joint pain 1.
From the Research
MMR Vaccine Administration Recommendations
The recommendations for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine administration are as follows:
- Two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended for children, with the first dose administered at age 12 through 15 months and the second dose administered at age 4 through 6 years before school entry 2, 3.
- For adults, two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended for those 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.
- One dose of MMR vaccine is recommended for other adults aged ≥18 years 2.
- For prevention of rubella, one dose of MMR vaccine is recommended for persons aged ≥12 months 2.
Special Populations
- For persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥12 months with HIV infection who do not have evidence of current severe immunosuppression 2.
- Revaccination is recommended for persons with perinatal HIV infection who were vaccinated before establishment of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) with 2 appropriately spaced doses of MMR vaccine once effective ART has been established 2.
Vaccine Scheduling
- The second dose of MMR vaccine can be administered at school entry (4 to 6 years of age) to help prevent school-based outbreaks 3.
- For infants and children considered to be at increased risk, three doses of MMR vaccine are recommended: the first at 12 months, the second at 15 months, and the third at 11 or 12 years 4.
- A two-dose regimen of MMR vaccine can be given at a 3-month interval in healthy infants aged ≥9 months, with the first dose administered at 9,11, or 12 months of age 5.