From the Guidelines
The MMR vaccine is recommended for all children, with the first dose given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years, and for adults born after 1957 without immunity, two doses separated by at least 28 days are recommended, as supported by the most recent evidence from 1.
Symptoms of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
The symptoms of measles, mumps, and rubella can be severe and include:
- Measles: fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash that can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis
- Mumps: fever, headache, muscle aches, and swelling of the salivary glands, which can lead to testicular inflammation and hearing loss
- Rubella: fever, sore throat, and a rash that can result in severe birth defects if contracted during pregnancy
Treatment Options
The primary treatment for measles, mumps, and rubella is vaccination, which can prevent the diseases and their related complications, as stated in 1.
Vaccination Schedule
The recommended vaccination schedule for MMR is:
- Children: first dose at 12-15 months of age and second dose at 4-6 years
- Adults born after 1957 without immunity: two doses separated by at least 28 days
Vaccine Safety and Efficacy
The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, with mild side effects that may include fever, mild rash, or temporary joint pain, as reported in 1.
Contraindications
The vaccine is contraindicated for pregnant women, severely immunocompromised individuals, and those with severe allergies to vaccine components, as noted in 1.
Importance of Vaccination
Vaccination is crucial not only for individual protection but also for maintaining herd immunity to protect vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated, as emphasized in 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
- Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body 2
- Mumps symptoms include swelling of the salivary glands, fever, headache, and fatigue 2
- Rubella symptoms include a low-grade fever, sore throat, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body 2
Treatment Options for MMR
- The primary treatment for MMR is vaccination, with two doses of the MMR vaccine recommended for children and adults at high risk for exposure and transmission 2
- For measles postexposure prophylaxis, immune globulin administered intramuscularly (IGIM) or intravenously (IGIV) may be recommended for certain individuals, such as infants aged birth to 6 months or severely immunocompromised persons 2
- Treatment for MMR infections typically focuses on relieving symptoms, such as fever reduction and pain management, as there are no specific antiviral medications available for these diseases 3
Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety
- The MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles, mumps, and rubella, with one dose estimated to be at least 95% effective in preventing clinical measles and 92% effective in preventing secondary cases among household contacts 4
- The vaccine has been shown to be safe, with common adverse events including injection-site redness, fever, and febrile seizures 5, 4
- Serious adverse events, such as aseptic meningitis and thrombocytopenic purpura, have been reported, but are rare 4
Special Considerations
- Individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may require special consideration for MMR vaccination, including expanded recommendations for vaccination and revaccination 2
- Pregnant women without evidence of measles immunity who are exposed to measles may require immune globulin administered intravenously (IGIV) as postexposure prophylaxis 2