This is a live vaccine against the viruses that cause measles, mumps, and German measles (rubella).

This vaccine can prevent measles, mumps, and German measles. These are all contagious febrile diseases with potential serious complications. Measles can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, and death. Mumps can lead to meningitis, inflammation of the testicles or ovaries, deafness, and death. German measles can cause a pregnant woman to miscarry or have a baby born with birth defects.

This vaccine is given into the subcutaneous tissue of the outer upper arm.

Side effects can occur including fever, rash, and swelling of the glands of the neck and cheeks. Less commonly joint stiffness, seizures, and low platelet counts can occur. More severe reactions and brain damage have been reported. This vaccine may not be safe for those who have had bad reactions to gelatin, neomycin, eggs, or prior MMR vaccine; check with your doctor. It is recommended that women not get the vaccine during pregnancy or become pregnant for 3 months after the vaccine (recommendations vary). Safety during breastfeeding has not been proven. This vaccine is not recommended for those with HIV/AIDS and a CD4+ T lymphocyte count less than 200 cells per microliter. You may not be able to get this vaccine in the following cases: immune-suppressing medications or illness, cancer, cancer treatment, low platelet count, or recent transfusion of any kind of blood product. Caution is recommended for patients with a history of seizures or head injury.

The M-M-R® II is the standard formulation. The ProQuad® preparation, which also contains the chickenpox vaccine, is associated with a higher incidence of fever and rash.

Individuals with prior severe reactions to this vaccine may not be able to receive another dose. Check with your doctor regarding this issue and for any other contraindications for this vaccine. Also check with your doctor to find out what other ingredients may be in the vaccine, its container, or any diluent in case of allergies or other concerns. Immunization is usually postponed for individuals with a moderate or severe acute illness.

The recommended regimen is the first dose is at 12-15 months of age and not before 12 months of age. The second dose is at 4-6 years of age, but can be given earlier as long as at least 4 weeks have passed since the first dose.

Adults born before 1957 are considered to have immunity. However, non-immune health care workers born before 1957 should be immunized on a routine basis and during outbreaks. Non-immune adults born during or after 1957 should be immunized. You will need to establish your immune status with your health care provider. It is essential that women of childbearing potential be tested for immunity to the rubella component so that they can be appropriately immunized when not pregnant (see below). For adult MMR dosing, a second dose 4 weeks after the first dose, is often recommended.

• Lack of immunity, especially during an outbreak
• Fetus of non-immune woman
• Healthcare workers
• International travel
• Living in post-high school educational institutions

• M-M-R® II (measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines combined)
• ProQuad® (combined with varicella vaccine)
• Attenuvax® (measles vaccine alone, no longer available)
• Mumpsvax® (mumps vaccine alone, no longer available)
• Meruvax® II (rubella vaccine alone, no longer available)