What is the recommended dosage of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine?

MMR Vaccine Dosage Recommendations

The standard MMR vaccine dose is 0.5 mL administered subcutaneously, with two doses recommended for routine vaccination: the first at age 12-15 months and the second at age 4-6 years, with doses separated by at least 28 days. 1

Standard Dosing Schedule

• The MMR vaccine is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) product that must be reconstituted with the accompanying diluent before administration 1
• After reconstitution, a single dose is approximately 0.5 mL and should be administered subcutaneously 1
• For routine childhood vaccination, the recommended schedule is:
  • First dose: 12-15 months of age 1
  • Second dose: 4-6 years of age 1
• The minimum interval between doses is 28 days (4 weeks) 1

Special Situations

Catch-up Vaccination

• For previously unvaccinated children and adolescents, two doses are required, separated by at least 28 days 1
• Adults born in 1957 or later without evidence of immunity should receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine 1

International Travel

• Infants aged 6-11 months traveling internationally should receive a single dose before travel 1
• These infants must later receive two full doses on the routine schedule, with the first dose at 12-15 months 1
• Travelers aged ≥12 months who have not received 2 doses should receive 2 doses separated by ≥28 days before travel 1

Outbreak Control

• During measles outbreaks, infants aged 6-11 months should receive a single dose of MMR 1
• For measles post-exposure prophylaxis in unvaccinated persons, administer one dose within 72 hours of exposure 1
• During mumps outbreaks, a third dose of MMR is recommended for persons identified by public health authorities as being at increased risk 1

Vaccine Interchangeability

• Two MMR vaccines are available in the US: M-M-R II and PRIORIX 1
• These vaccines are fully interchangeable - either can be used when an MMR vaccine is indicated 1
• Both vaccines use the same 0.5 mL dosage and subcutaneous administration route 1

Administration Considerations

• MMR can be administered simultaneously with other vaccines at different anatomic sites 1
• Live virus vaccines not administered on the same day should be separated by ≥4 weeks 1
• Reconstituted vaccine must be protected from light, stored at 2-8°C (35.6-46.4°F), and discarded if not used within 8 hours 1

Immune Globulin Considerations

• If immune globulin is administered, subsequent MMR vaccination should be delayed:
  • For standard IG: 5-6 months after administration 1
  • For patients receiving regular IGIV therapy: MMR should be given at least 2 weeks before beginning IGIV therapy 1

Efficacy and Duration of Protection

• Two doses of MMR vaccine provide long-lasting immunity:
  • 10 years after receiving a second dose, protective antibody levels were present in 93.7% for measles, 73.4% for mumps, and 83.9% for rubella 2
  • Almost all persons who don't respond to the first dose will respond to the second dose 1