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MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends the MMR vaccine for all children, to protect them from mumps, measles and rubella. The CDC also recommends the MMR vaccine for adults who have not had a vaccination, as well as those who have not had measles, mumps or rubella. In most of the United States, proof of vaccination (including MMR vaccination) is required before children can enter school.

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Need help with the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella? We’ve got the info to get you started.

What is MMR?

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) are viral infections. Without vaccination, the viruses may cause medical issues leading to serious illness. In severe cases, they can be fatal. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella, which can lead to serious illness and potentially dangerous, even deadly, consequences like encephalitis.

What is the MMR vaccine?

The MMR vaccine is an immunizing agent designed to prevent infection by encouraging your body to produce antibodies as protection against the viruses.

Getting help

Your MinuteClinic provider will review your medical history and help you understand the risks as well as symptoms of measles, mumps and rubella. They can also immunize you and provide prevention advice.

  1. You may have to answer a few questions to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.
  2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment.


    If you made your appointment online:

    Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

    If you made your appointment in the clinic:

    Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

    If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
    To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and zip code to join the visit.

  3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
  4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
  5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

MMR vaccine for children and adults

Before administering the vaccination, your MinuteClinic® provider will thoroughly review you or your child’s medical history with you. Children typically receive the vaccine in two stages:

  • First dose at 12 to 15 months old
  • Second dose at 4 to 6 years old

Most adults born after 1957 who need the MMR vaccine may only have to get one dose. But those at greater risk of contracting measles, mumps or rubella may need a second dose of the vaccine four weeks after their first dose.

Causes and symptoms of measles, mumps and rubella

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. Symptoms start with a cough, fever, runny nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and a red, pinpoint rash that begins appearing on the face then spreads to the rest of the body. If the virus infects the lungs, it can cause pneumonia. In older children, medical issues from measles can lead to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and can cause seizures (convulsions), brain damage and even death.

Other medical issues from measles include:

The potential risks of severe medical issues and death are higher for adults and infants than for children and teenagers.

The mumps virus usually causes swelling in the glands located just below the ears. This can make people appear to have large “chipmunk cheeks.” Mumps is an infection that can cause severe medical issues, such as encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining).

Adolescent boys and men who become infected are at risk of a condition called orchitis. The complication causes pain and swelling of the testicles. In rare cases, this can even cause sterility (inability to produce children). If a pregnant woman becomes infected, the mumps can cause spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) during the first three months (first trimester) of pregnancy. Before the development of vaccines, mumps was the most common cause of meningitis (swelling of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and acquired deafness in men in the United States.

Rubella (German measles) is a viral infection that can cause miscarriages, stillbirths or congenital issues (birth defects, etc.) in unborn babies when the virus infects pregnant women. Symptoms of rubella are a mild rash on the face and swelling of the glands behind the ears. In some cases, swelling at the small joints of the body and low-grade fever may occur. Most children who get rubella recover quickly without lasting effects.

However, if a pregnant woman gets rubella, the consequences can be devastating. When the infection occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, there is at least a 20% chance that the child will be born with congenital disorders such as blindness, deafness, a heart condition or intellectual disabilities. Immunization is of particular importance for women of childbearing age and persons traveling outside the United States.

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IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions. Please visit a health care provider for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local emergency department.

 

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