MMRV vaccine for children
This page is about the MMR vaccine for people who did not get vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella as a young child. The MMR vaccine is no longer offered to all young children.
Children are now offered the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (varicella). They are offered 2 doses of the vaccine when they are 12 months and 18 months old. Older children born on or after 1 January 2020 are also offered 1 or 2 doses of the vaccine.
What the MMR vaccine is for
The MMR vaccine helps protect against:
These 3 infections spread easily between people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, blindness and hearing loss.
If you're pregnant, getting measles can cause premature birth, miscarriage or still birth. And getting rubella can cause serious problems for your baby such as damage to their sight and hearing.
2 doses of the MMR vaccine gives you long-term protection.
Getting vaccinated also helps protect people who cannot be vaccinated, such as unborn babies, newborn babies and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Who should have the MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine is recommended for adults and children born on or before 31 December 2019 who did not have the MMR vaccine when they were younger.
It's especially important to make sure you're vaccinated if:
- you're a child, teenager or young adult
- you could become pregnant
- you're travelling to, or living in, a country where there is a higher risk of getting measles, mumps or rubella
- you're a healthcare worker
- you were born between 1970 and 1990 (as you may not have been vaccinated against all 3 infections)
Your GP surgery should be able to tell you which vaccinations you've already had.
If you were born before 1970 and have not had measles, mumps or rubella (german measles) or the vaccines that protect against these diseases, you can ask your GP surgery for the MMR vaccine.
Can I have the MMR vaccine during Ramadan?
Many Muslim scholars say you can have the MMR vaccine when you're fasting for Ramadan. This is because it's injected into the muscle and does not give you food or water.
You can speak to your GP for advice on when to have your MMR vaccine.
Babies and young children
Children are now given the MMRV vaccine instead of the MMR vaccine as part of the NHS vaccination schedule. The MMRV vaccine helps protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Children are offered 2 doses of the MMRV vaccine when they are 12 months and 18 months old. Older children born on or after 1 January 2020 are also offered 1 or 2 doses of the vaccine.
Babies aged 6 to 11 months can have an early dose of the MMR or MMRV vaccine if:
- they're travelling abroad to an area where there's a higher risk of catching measles
- they've been in close contact with someone who has measles
- there's an outbreak of measles
Speak to your GP if you think your baby might need an early dose of the MMRV or MMR vaccine.
How to get the MMR vaccine
If you or your child needs the MMR vaccine, your GP surgery will be able to arrange it. Your child may also be able to get it through their school.
If you need the MMR vaccine for your work, you should also be able to get it through your employer's occupational health service.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP surgery if:
- your child was born on or before 31 December 2019 and they missed their MMR vaccine, or you're not sure if they had both doses of the vaccine
- you think you might need the MMR vaccine
- your child has a temperature and is due to have the vaccine – they may need to wait until they're feeling better before having the vaccine
- you need to change a vaccination appointment
Your GP surgery can book or rearrange an appointment.
Who cannot have the MMR vaccine
Most people who need the MMR vaccine can have it.
But because it's a live vaccine, which means it contains a weakened version of measles, mumps and rubella, it's not suitable for everyone.
The MMR vaccine is not suitable if:
- you're pregnant
- you have a weakened immune system, either because of a health condition or because you are taking medicines that suppress the immune system
- you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any ingredients in the vaccine, including gelatine or neomycin
Getting vaccinated if you're unwell
You can have the MMR vaccine if you're unwell but do not have a high temperature.
If you have a high temperature or feel very unwell, wait until you feel better before having the MMR vaccine.
MMR vaccine ingredients
There are 2 types of MMR vaccine in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets:
- MMRVaXPro MMR vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website)
- Priorix MMR vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website; PDF only, 179KB)
The MMR VaxPro vaccine contains a small amount of gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatine). Speak to the person vaccinating you or your child if you want the Priorix MMR vaccine instead.
How the MMR vaccine is given
The MMR vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm or thigh.
You'll need 2 doses for full protection. You'll be given the doses at least 1 month apart.
Having the MMR vaccine at the same time as other vaccines
The MMR vaccine can be given at the same time as most other vaccines except for the yellow fever vaccine.
You will need to wait 4 weeks between having the MMR vaccine and the yellow fever vaccine.
Side effects of the MMR vaccine
Like all medicines, the MMR vaccine can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.
Common side effects are usually mild and only last 2 to 3 days, they include:
- a raised, blotchy rash (similar to a measles rash), feeling unwell and a high temperature around 7 to 11 days after the vaccination
- swollen glands around the cheeks, neck and jaw and aching in your joints (similar to a mild form of mumps) around 2 to 3 weeks after the vaccination
More serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
The MMR vaccine is not linked to autism
Research has shown there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
How well the MMR vaccine works
Protection starts within 2 weeks of having the MMR vaccine.
After 2 doses:
- around 99% of people will be protected against measles and rubella
- around 88% of people will be protected against mumps
If you get mumps after being vaccinated, the symptoms will usually be much milder.
More about vaccine safety
Find out more about why vaccinations are important and the safest way to protect yourself