Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine

Generic name: Measles, Mumps, And Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
Dosage form: subcutaneous powder for injection (-)
Drug class: Vaccine combinations

Usage of Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine

Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious diseases caused by viruses spread from person to person.

Becoming infected with rubella virus (also called German Measles) during pregnancy can result in a miscarriage or serious birth defects.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases by causing your body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

MMR vaccine is for use in people 12 months of age and older who have never received the vaccine or had the diseases.

Like any vaccine, the MMR vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with measles, mumps, or rubella is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

red, tender bumps under your skin;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

high fever (within a few hours or a few days after the vaccine);

easy bruising or bleeding;

new or worsening cough, trouble breathing;

problems with balance or muscle movement;

a seizure; or

nervous system problems--numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, burning or prickly feeling, vision or hearing problems, trouble breathing.

You may have joint pain 2 to 4 weeks after receiving an MMR vaccine. This is more common in women and teenaged girls.

Common side effects of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine may include:

fever;

rash; or

pain where the injection was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Before taking Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine

You should not receive this vaccine if:

you are allergic to gelatin;

you have had a severe allergic reaction to Neomycin; or

you have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing measles, mumps, or rubella.

You should also not receive this vaccine if you have:

a cancer such as leukemia or lymphoma;

a bone marrow or blood cell disorder;

untreated tuberculosis;

a history of severe allergic reaction to eggs;

severe immune suppression caused by disease or by receiving certain medicines, chemotherapy or radiation; or

if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant in the next month.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

Your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all if you have:

active tuberculosis infection;

a history of brain injury or seizures;

thrombocytopenia purpura (easy bruising or bleeding);

a weak immune system;

a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine); or

if you have received an immune globulin or a blood or plasma transfusion.

You should not receive the MMR vaccine if you are pregnant. Wait until after your child is born to receive the vaccine.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Relate drugs

How to use Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine

Usual Adult Dose for Mumps Prophylaxis:

0.5 mL, suBCutaneously, once

Usual Adult Dose for Rubella Prophylaxis:

0.5 mL, subcutaneously, once

Usual Adult Dose for Measles Prophylaxis:

0.5 mL, subcutaneously, once

Usual Pediatric Dose for Mumps Prophylaxis:

12 months of age and older:0.5 mL, subcutaneously, onceComments:-Primary vaccination is recommended at 12 to 15 months.-Revaccination is recommended prior to elementary school entry.-Children vaccinated when younger than 12 months should receive another dose at 12 to 15 months of age, as well as revaccination before school entry.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Rubella Prophylaxis:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Measles Prophylaxis:

Warnings

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

What other drugs will affect Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine

MMR vaccine is sometimes given at the same time as other vaccines. Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor about all other vaccines you have recently received.

Also tell the doctor if you have recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

steroid medicine;

chemotherapy or radiation treatments;

medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or

medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

Other drugs may affect MMR vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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