MMRV Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella): What You Need to
Know
Why get vaccinated?
MMRV vaccine can prevent
measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.
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MEASLES (M) causes fever, cough, runny nose, and red,
watery eyes, commonly followed by a rash that covers the whole
body. It can lead to seizures (often associated with fever), ear
infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Rarely, measles can cause
brain damage or death.
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MUMPS (M) causes fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness,
loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands under the
ears. It can lead to deafness, swelling of the brain and/or spinal
cord covering, painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and,
very rarely, death.
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RUBELLA (R) causes fever, sore throat, rash, headache, and
eye irritation. It can cause arthritis in up to half of teenage
and adult women. If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant,
she could have a miscarriage or the baby could be born with
serious birth defects.
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VARICELLA (V), also called "chickenpox," causes an itchy
rash, in addition to fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, and
headache. It can lead to skin infections, pneumonia, inflammation
of the blood vessels, swelling of the brain and/or spinal cord
covering, and infection of the blood, bones, or joints. Some
people who get chickenpox get a painful rash called "shingles"
(also known as herpes zoster) years later.
Most people who are vaccinated with MMRV will be protected for life.
Vaccines and high rates of vaccination have made these diseases much
less common in the United States.
MMRV vaccine
MMRV vaccine may be given to
children 12 months through 12 years of age, usually:
MMRV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
Instead of MMRV, some children might receive separate shots for MMR
(measles, mumps, and rubella) and varicella. Your health care
provider can give you more information.
Talk with your health care provider
Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting the vaccine:
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Has had an
allergic reaction after a previous dose of MMRV, MMR, or
varicella vaccine, or has any severe, life-threatening
allergies
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Is pregnantor thinks they might be pregnant — pregnant
women should not get MMRV vaccine
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Has a weakened immune system, or has a
parent, brother, or sister with a history of hereditary or
congenital immune system problems
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Has ever had a
condition that makes him or her bruise or bleed easily
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Has a history of seizures, or has a
parent, brother, or sister with a history of seizures
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Is taking or plans to take salicylates (such as aspirin)
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Has recently
had a blood transfusion or received other blood products
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Has tuberculosis
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Has gotten any other vaccines in the past 4 weeks
In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone MMRV
vaccination until a future visit or may recommend that the child
receive separate MMR and varicella vaccines instead of MMRV.
People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated.
Children who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait
until they recover before getting MMRV vaccine.
Your health care provider can give you more information.
Risks of a vaccine reaction
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Sore arm from the injection, redness where the shot is given,
fever, and a mild rash can happen after MMRV vaccination.
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Swelling of the glands in the cheeks or neck or temporary pain and
stiffness in the joints sometimes occur after MMRV vaccination.
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Seizures, often associated with fever, can happen after MMRV
vaccine. The risk of seizures is higher after MMRV than after
separate MMR and varicella vaccines when given as the first dose
of the two-dose series in younger children. Your health care
provider can advise you about the appropriate vaccines for your
child.
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More serious reactions happen rarely, including temporary low
platelet count, which can cause unusual bleeding or bruising.
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In people with serious immune system problems, this vaccine may
cause an infection that may be lifethreatening. People with
serious immune system problems should not get MMRV vaccine.
If a person develops a rash after MMRV vaccination, it could be
related to either the measles or the varicella component of the
vaccine. The varicella vaccine virus could be spread to an
unprotected person. Anyone who gets a rash should stay away from
infants and people with a weakened immune system until the rash goes
away. Talk with your health care provider to learn more.
Some people who are vaccinated against chickenpox get shingles
(herpes zoster) years later. This is much less common after
vaccination than after chickenpox disease.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including
vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision
changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine
causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
What if there is a serious problem?
An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves
the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives,
swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast
heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the
person to the nearest hospital.
For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider.
Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event
Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually
file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website
at www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967.
VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members do
not give medical advice.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal
program that was created to compensate people who may have been
injured by certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or
death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, which may be
as short as two years. Visit the VICP website at
www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or call
1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and about filing a
claim.
How can I learn more?
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Ask your health care provider.
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Call your local or state health department.
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Visit the website of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
vaccine package inserts and additional information at
www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.
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Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Vaccine Information Statement
MMRV Vaccine
1/31/2025
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Many vaccine information statements are available in Spanish and
other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis
Hojas de información sobre vacunas están disponibles en español y en
muchos otros idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis
Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare
professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or
this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Ignite
Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use
of this information.