From the Guidelines
Yes, adults can receive the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine if they need it. Adults who don't have evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine, as recommended by the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2013 1. This includes people born before 1957 who don't have laboratory evidence of immunity, healthcare personnel, international travelers, and women planning to become pregnant.
Key Points to Consider
- The standard adult dose is the same as for children - a 0.5 mL injection.
- Some adults may need two doses given at least 28 days apart, particularly those in high-risk settings like college students, healthcare workers, or international travelers.
- The vaccine is generally safe for adults, with mild side effects like soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, or mild rash.
- The MMR vaccine is important for adults who aren't immune because these diseases can be more severe in adulthood - mumps can cause testicular inflammation, measles can lead to pneumonia, and rubella can cause serious birth defects if contracted during pregnancy.
- The vaccine is contraindicated for pregnant women, severely immunocompromised individuals, and those with severe allergic reactions to vaccine components, as noted in the 2013 guidelines 1.
High-Risk Groups
- Adults born in 1957 or later should have documentation of 1 or more doses of MMR vaccine unless they have a medical contraindication to the vaccine, or laboratory evidence of immunity to each of the 3 diseases, as recommended by the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2012 1.
- Healthcare personnel born before 1957 who lack laboratory evidence of measles, mumps, and/or rubella immunity or laboratory confirmation of disease should be considered for vaccination with 2 doses of MMR vaccine, as suggested in the 2013 guidelines 1.
From the Research
Eligibility for MMR Vaccine
- Adults can receive the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, as stated in the study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 2.
- The study recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, separated by 4 weeks, for all adults who do not have immunization or contraindications.
Vaccination Guidelines
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend 2 documented doses of the MMR vaccine for adequate measles, mumps, and rubella immunity for all children and most adults 3.
- Adults who do not have immunization or contraindications should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, separated by 4 weeks 2.
Safety of MMR Vaccine in Adults
- A prospective cohort study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine found that the MMR vaccine is safe in adults, with low rates of systemic adverse events and no serious adverse events 4.
- The study found that adverse events were more common among female travelers and among participants who were younger and probably immunized once with MMR compared to older vaccines immunized once to measles only and to those who were never immunized 4.