Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious diseases.
Measles
Measles virus causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever.
It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring), brain damage, and death.
Mumps
Mumps virus causes fever, headache, and swollen glands.
May lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and, rarely, death.
Rubella (German Measles)
Rubella virus causes rash, mild fever, and arthritis (mostly in women).
If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.
Who should get the MMR vaccine and when?
Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine:
The first at 12-15 months of age.
The second at 4-6 years of age.
These are the recommended ages. But children can get the second dose at any age, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose. Generally, anyone 18 years of age or older, who was born after 1956, should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine, unless they can show that they have had either the vaccines or the diseases.
To link to the CDC for detailed information about the MMR vaccination, click here
