MMR Vaccine: Care Instructions

Overview

An MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Children can get two doses of the MMR vaccine. They can get the first dose when they are 12 to 15 months old and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old. Be sure to talk with your child's doctor about a vaccine schedule. These shots will prevent measles, mumps, and rubella for life. But if your community has had a recent outbreak of any of these infections, ask your health department if you or your child can get another dose.

The MMR vaccine may include the vaccine to protect against chickenpox (varicella) and is called the MMRV vaccine.

Sometimes doctors recommend the MMR vaccine for a child younger than 1 year if there is an outbreak of any of these infections. The vaccine also may be given to babies who will travel outside the United States. An MMR vaccine given before age 1 must be repeated when the child is older than 1.

A child who had a bad reaction to an MMR shot should not get another one. Be sure to tell your doctor if your child ever had a seizure or trouble breathing after a vaccine.

Some parents worry that the MMR vaccine causes autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. But many studies have been done, and no link has been found between the MMR vaccine and ASD.

Adults born during or after 1956 may get one or two doses if they don't know if they have immunity. A blood test (antibody titer) can show if you have any immunity to these infections.

Rubella during pregnancy can cause birth defects. If you are pregnant, you cannot get the vaccine until after your pregnancy is over. People who have not had the MMR vaccine should get it at least 4 weeks before trying to get pregnant.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for your child at home?

Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed. Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to children and teens. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) if your joints feel sore or stiff after an MMR shot. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and the skin.
You or your child may get a mild rash after the MMR vaccine. It usually goes away without treatment. Contact the doctor if the rash does not go away or it gets worse.

When should you call for help?

Call 911anytime you think you or your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You or your child has a seizure.
You or your child has symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. These may include:
- Sudden raised, often discolored areas (hives) all over the body.
- Swelling of the throat, mouth, lips, or tongue.
- Trouble breathing.
- Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you or your child may feel very lightheaded or suddenly feel weak, confused, or restless.
- Severe belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

You or your child has symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as:
- A rash or hives (raised, often discolored areas on the skin).
- Itching.
- Swelling.
- Mild belly pain or nausea.
You or your child has a high fever.
Your child cries for 3 hours or more within 2 days after getting the shot.

Watch closely for changes in your or your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.

Glossary

: Immunity is a person's resistance to (or protection from) a disease. A person may be born with temporary protection from certain diseases, or a person may be protected after having an infection or immunization (vaccination).

Immunity occurs because the body's immune system recognizes a foreign substance (such as a virus or bacteria) as potentially harmful and sends antibodies (proteins made by the immune system) to destroy it.

Immunity may be temporary or permanent, depending on the nature of the disease, how the person became immune, and other factors. For instance, some vaccines give a person lifelong immunity against a disease and only have to be given one time. Others have to be given on a regular schedule (every 10 years, for example) because they do not provide permanent immunity. Partial immunity implies some degree of protection from a disease.