Measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine

The MMR vaccine is a ‘live’ virus vaccine that provides a high level of protection against measles, mumps and rubella infection. This combination vaccine provides direct protection to individuals who receive the vaccine and can help reduce the spread of these viruses in the community.

The MMR and measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMR-V) combination vaccines are the only vaccines available in Australia to protect against measles – there is no separate vaccine available to protect against measles only.

Children

• First dose: at 12 months of age
• Second dose: at 18 months, as part of the MMRV vaccine (which also includes protection against varicella/chickenpox)

It is important that your child receives two doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected against measles. It's never too late – older children are still eligible for the free vaccine if they haven't received it yet. See your GP or immunisation provider if your child hasn't received their two doses of the MMR vaccine, or check your child's immunisation records.

Infants aged under 12 months who are travelling overseas to countries with high measles activity can be vaccinated with a MMR vaccine from 6 months of age – see the Travelling overseas? section below for further details.

Teenagers and adults

Anyone born after 1965 who has not received two doses of measles vaccine, or is unsure of their vaccination history, should get vaccinated. This is especially important for:

• adults who may have missed childhood vaccines
• people planning to travel to areas with known measles outbreaks
• healthcare workers and people working with children
• workers in long-term care and correctional facilities.

MMR vaccination is not recommended for people born before 1966 as the measles virus circulated widely in the community prior to this time and most people acquired immunity from natural infection.

Some immunisation providers may charge a consultation fee for administering the vaccine. You should check if there are any costs when making an appointment with your chosen provider.

Travelling overseas?

Measles is common in many countries outside of Australia, so it is particularly important to make sure you are fully vaccinated against measles before travelling overseas. Two doses of MMR vaccine given at least 4 weeks apart is recommended for optimal protection – you can receive another MMR vaccine if you are unsure if you have previously had two measles vaccine doses.

You should get a MMR vaccine at least 2 weeks before travelling, but it is best to see a GP or travel clinic at least 6 weeks beforehand in case you need multiple doses and to ensure full immunity develops.

Infants aged under 12 months, who are travelling overseas to countries with high measles activity can receive a free MMR vaccine from 6 months of age, after an individual risk assessment by their GP or at a travel clinic (consultation fees may apply). 

It is important to remember that if an infant receives a MMR vaccine before 12 months, they will still need another two doses after 12 months of age. They should receive their next dose of MMR vaccine at 12 months of age or 4 weeks after the first dose, whichever is later. They should receive their final dose as the MMR-V vaccine at 18 months of age as is routinely recommended.

Planning to get pregnant?

Measles during pregnancy can have serious complications, such as miscarriage, early labour and stillbirth.

The MMR vaccine should not be given during pregnancy – so to protect yourself and your baby, it's important to get vaccinated against measles at least 4 weeks before trying to get pregnant.

Before being vaccinated, tell your immunisation provider if you:

• aren't feeling well (for example you have a fever)[RH1]
• have any severe allergies (such as antibiotics, latex or gelatine)
• are pregnant or plan to get pregnant soon
• have received another live vaccination in the last month
• have received blood, blood products or immunoglobulin in the last three months
• have a disease (for example HIV/AIDS or cancer) or having treatment that lowers immunity.

The MMR vaccine contains weakened versions of the measles, mumps and rubella viruses; as a precaution, it is not recommended during pregnancy. If you are planning to get pregnant, you should wait at least four weeks after having the MMR vaccine before trying to get pregnant.

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. A single dose of MMR vaccine is around 93% effective against measles, with protection increasing to around 97% after a second MMR dose.

Before vaccination, about 100 Australian children died each year from measles. Today, deaths from measles are extremely rare.

Any medicine, including the MMR vaccine, can have side effects. Some people get a few side effects following MMR vaccination that can last a few days. The risk of serious side effects, such as severe allergic reaction, is extremely small. Learn more about the possible side effects of vaccination and how to manage them.

Common side effects

These symptoms normally occur soon after you receive the vaccine, last 1-2 days, and resolve without requiring special treatment:

• low-grade fever
• muscle aches
• soreness, swelling and redness and a small lump appearing at the injection site.

The following reactions may occur 5-12 days after the vaccination:

• high fever over 39°C lasting 2-3 days
• faint red rash (not infectious)
• runny nose, cough and/or puffy eyes
• swelling of salivary glands
• drowsiness or tiredness.

There is also an increased risk of febrile seizures, mainly in children under 3 years of age. These are likely to occur 7-10 days after vaccination.

When to seek help

Serious reactions following the administration of MMR vaccine, like allergic reactions, are extremely rare (less than one in 1 million doses administered).

If you have a reaction that is unexpected, or if you are unsure, consult with your immunisation provider.

If you believe your reaction is severe or life-threatening you should call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to your closest emergency department.

Concerns about side effects

The Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system (external site) is the central reporting service in WA for any significant adverse events following immunisation.

Any reactions causing concern, whether minor or serious, should be reported:

• via the Western Australia Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) (external site) online system, or
• by phoning WAVSS on (08) 6456 0208, Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm (except public holidays).

The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is a national register that records vaccines given to people of all ages in Australia. The AIR captures all vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program such as school-based vaccines, WA state-funded immunisations, and most privately-funded vaccines such as influenza and travel vaccines.

You can access your AIR vaccination history statement via myGov, or through your GP or pharmacist. See Immunisation records for further details.

Unfortunately, vaccines given prior to 1996 are not recorded on the AIR. You should check your childhood vaccination record cards, including those that might be with your parents, for any measles vaccines given prior to 1996. You can also check with the immunisation provider where you had your vaccinations.

It is safe to get another MMR vaccine dose if you are unsure if you have already had two measles vaccine doses (and are not pregnant or have medical conditions or treatments that lower immunity).

The MMR vaccine is available at GPs, pharmacists, travel clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and community health immunisation clinics.

The free MMR vaccine for infants travelling overseas to countries with high measles activity is only available in GP clinics and travel clinics. This dose provides early protection against measles and does not replace the recommended doses of MMR at 12 months and MMR-V at 18 months of age.

Some immunisation providers may charge a consultation fee for administering the vaccine. You should check if there are any costs when making an appointment with your chosen immunisation provider. 

For further information contact your immunisation provider. Find out where you can get immunised.

People who receive two doses of MMR are generally considered to have long-term protection against measles so there is no need for a booster dose.

Yes, but it is unlikely. Vaccinated people who do develop measles generally have milder symptoms.

A single dose of measles vaccine was introduced in the late1960s and measles cases dropped dramatically. In 1994, a second measles vaccine dose was added to the national childhood immunisation schedule to increase the level of measles protection in the community.

People born between 1966 and 1994 (or currently aged 30-60 years old) are considered at a greater risk of measles because they are less likely to have had a measles vaccine, or they have had only one dose.

If you're in this age group and not sure if you have had two measles vaccine doses you should check with your GP, particularly if you’re planning to travel overseas – you can receive another MMR dose if you are unsure. If you haven’t had any measles vaccinations, then you should have two doses given at least 4 weeks apart.

For further information contact your immunisation provider. Find out where you can get immunised.