What are Measles, Mumps and Rubella
How to prevent Measles, Mumps and Rubella
Who should get a Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine
When to get a Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine
 What are Measles, Mumps and Rubella
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
- It can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of
the testicles or ovaries, and, rarely, death
Rubella
- 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.
Adults and children catch these diseases by being around someone who has them. They spread from person to person
through the air.
How to prevent Measles, Mumps and Rubella
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine can prevent these diseases.
Most children who get their MMR shots will not get these diseases. Many more children would get them
if we stopped vaccinating.
Who should get a Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine
Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine and some adults should get the MMR vaccine, as well.
When to get a Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine
Children
- 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.
Adults
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.
MMR vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
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