MMR Vaccine

MMR is a live virus vaccine used against measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella (German measles). It is a sterile lyophilized preparation of  attenuated strains of  measles virus, mumps virus (paramyxoviruses), and rubella virus (togavirus).

Recommended Vaccination Schedule according to latest IAP update 2016

  • First dose of  MMR should be administered after completing 270 days or 9 months of life instead of earlier recommended stand alone Measles vaccine
  • Second dose of MMR can be given at 15 months through 18 months of age.  The minimum gap of  4 weeks after the 1st dose should be maintained
  • Third dose of MMR should be given at 4-6 years of age
  • All school children and adolescents who did not have natural infection or received the vaccine earlier should be immunized with 2 doses of MMR at minimum 4 weeks interval

Other important vaccine recommendations:

  • In case of measles outbreak, infants as young as 6 months can be given monovalent measles vaccine. However, 2 doses of MMR still need to be given later
  • Females of childbearing age should be vaccinated with rubella vaccine to avoid complications of rubella during pregnancy

Side effects of MMR vaccine:

Mild problems like fever, rash, swelling of lymphatic glands can occur after 7-12 days of the first shot. Seizures caused by fever, temporary stiff aching joints in teenagers and adult women may occur. In very rare cases , serious allergic reactions can harm the vaccinated person. MMR vaccine is undoubtedly safer than actually getting the 3 diseases it prevents.

Marketed MMR Products

Here is the list of WHO pre-qualified vaccine products available in market. Click on name of the product to know more.