Does a person born in 1962 need the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine?

MMR Vaccination for a Person Born in 1962

Persons born before 1957 are generally considered immune to measles, mumps, and rubella and do not need MMR vaccination unless there are specific risk factors.

Evidence-Based Recommendation

For a person born in 1962, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) considers them likely to have natural immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. According to the ACIP guidelines, most persons born before 1957 are likely to have been infected naturally with these viruses and can be considered immune, even without documented clinical disease 1.

Rationale for Presumptive Immunity

• Before vaccines were widely available, measles, mumps, and rubella were nearly universal childhood diseases
• Live mumps vaccine was not used routinely before 1977 1
• The age-specific incidence of mumps peaked among children aged 5-9 years before vaccine introduction
• Therefore, most persons born before 1957 are likely to have been infected naturally between 1957 and 1977 1

Special Circumstances Where Vaccination May Be Considered

Despite presumptive immunity, there are specific situations where MMR vaccination should be considered for persons born before 1957:

1. Healthcare workers: During measles or mumps outbreaks, vaccination should be considered for healthcare workers born before 1957 who may be exposed to these diseases 1

2. During outbreaks: During mumps outbreaks, MMR vaccination should be considered for persons born before 1957 who may be exposed to mumps and who may be susceptible 1

3. International travel: If traveling to areas with endemic measles, consider vaccination

Safety Considerations

If vaccination is needed for any of the above circumstances:

• Serious adverse events after MMR are rare in adults, with incidence ≤6 per 100,000 doses for serious outcomes 2
• Common non-serious reactions include:
  • Arthropathy (263 per 100,000 doses)
  • Injection site reactions (157 per 100,000 doses)
  • Rash (112.9 per 100,000 doses) 2

Laboratory Testing

• Laboratory testing for mumps susceptibility before vaccination is not necessary 1
• If there is uncertainty about immune status, serologic testing can be performed, but vaccination without testing is acceptable

Conclusion

A person born in 1962 is generally considered immune to measles, mumps, and rubella due to likely natural exposure during childhood and does not routinely need MMR vaccination. However, vaccination should be considered if the person works in healthcare, plans international travel to endemic areas, or during disease outbreaks.