MMR and MMRV vaccination: who is offered it, doses and side effects

The NHS says measles, mumps and rubella spread easily between people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, blindness and hearing loss. If you are pregnant, measles can cause premature birth, miscarriage or stillbirth, and rubella can cause serious problems for your baby such as damage to sight and hearing. Two doses give long-term protection, and vaccination also helps protect people who cannot be vaccinated, such as unborn babies, newborn babies and anyone with a weakened immune system.

The MMRV vaccine adds protection against chickenpox (varicella), and the NHS says it is now offered to young children in place of MMR.

The NHS MMRV page sets out when children are offered doses, depending on birth date.

The NHS recommends MMR for anyone born on or before 31 December 2019 who missed it. It says it is especially important if you are a child, teenager or young adult, could become pregnant, are travelling to or living in a country with a higher risk, are a healthcare worker, or were born between 1970 and 1990, as you may not have been vaccinated against all three infections. People born before 1970 who have not had these infections or vaccines can also ask their GP surgery. Your GP surgery should be able to tell you which vaccinations you have had, and employers' occupational health services can arrange it for work.

Babies aged 6 to 11 months can have an early dose of MMR or MMRV if travelling to a higher-risk area, in close contact with someone with measles, or during an outbreak. Many Muslim scholars say the MMR vaccine can be had during Ramadan fasting because it is injected into the muscle, according to the NHS.

Because these are live vaccines, containing weakened versions of the viruses, they are not suitable for everyone. The NHS says MMR is not suitable if you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system through a health condition or medicines, or have had anaphylaxis to an ingredient such as gelatine or neomycin. MMRV is similarly not given to children with a severely weakened immune system or a serious allergic reaction to an ingredient. If you have a high temperature or feel very unwell, wait until better; mild illness without a high temperature is not a reason to delay.

One MMR product contains porcine gelatine and an alternative is available; speak to the vaccinator if you want it, and GOV.UK has information on porcine gelatine in vaccines, including translated leaflets.

The NHS says common side effects are usually mild and last 2 to 3 days. They include a raised blotchy rash similar to measles, feeling unwell and a high temperature around 7 to 11 days after vaccination, and swollen glands around the cheeks, neck and jaw with aching joints, similar to a mild mumps, around 2 to 3 weeks after. Severe allergic reactions are rare, and vaccinators are trained to treat them immediately. MMR can be given at the same time as most other vaccines, but you need to wait 4 weeks between MMR and the yellow fever vaccine.

Protection starts within 2 weeks of an MMR dose. After 2 doses around 99% of people are protected against measles and rubella and around 88% against mumps, says the NHS; if you get mumps after vaccination the symptoms are usually much milder. The UK Health Security Agency describes immunisation as the most effective way to protect against measles and says children should receive 2 doses of MMR or MMRV before the age of 5.