MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine protects against three serious, highly contagious viral diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. It’s given in two doses during childhood, with additional doses recommended for certain adults. The Shot Nurse offers walk-in MMR vaccinations at our Memphis and Germantown, TN locations with no appointment necessary.

What Does the MMR Vaccine Protect Against?

Measles, mumps, and rubella are three separate viral illnesses that can cause serious complications, especially in young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Because all three diseases are preventable with the same combination shot, they’re typically discussed (and vaccinated against) together.

Measles

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known to affect humans, an infected person can easily spread it to unvaccinated people they come into close contact with. It spreads through the air, both by respiratory droplets and by smaller airborne particles that can linger in a room. 

After exposure, it typically takes 11 to 12 days for symptoms to begin, though the full incubation period can range from 7 to 21 days. Measles usually starts with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed a few days later by a full-body rash that begins on the face and spreads.

About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles in the U.S. are hospitalized, and complications can include ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia (the most common cause of measles death in young children). Roughly 1 in 1,000 cases leads to encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, which can cause permanent brain damage. The disease is fatal in an estimated 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 cases. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning it’s no longer constantly present, but it’s still common in many parts of the world, and outbreaks continue to occur when it’s reintroduced to those who are unvaccinated.

Mumps

Mumps spreads through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets, through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing items like cups and water bottles. It’s less contagious than measles and typically requires closer, more prolonged contact to spread, which is why outbreaks tend to cluster in settings like college dorms.

Symptoms usually appear 16 to 18 days after exposure, though the incubation period can range from 12 to 25 days. Mumps often starts with a few days of low-grade fever, headache, and body aches before the disease’s hallmark symptom sets in: painful swelling of the salivary glands along the jaw and in front of the ears (parotitis), which typically lasts about a week.

Most people recover from mumps without lasting harm, but complications can include hearing loss, meningitis (inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord), and painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries. Death from mumps is rare. Vaccinated people can still occasionally get mumps, but they’re much less likely to develop the disease or experience its complications compared to those who are unvaccinated.

Rubella (German Measles)

Rubella spreads the same way measles does (through coughing and sneezing) though it’s generally a much milder illness. In fact, as many as half of all rubella infections cause no noticeable symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, usually 2 to 3 weeks after exposure, they tend to involve a mild fever and a pink rash that starts on the face and moves down the body, often accompanied by swollen lymph nodes behind the ears and along the neck. Adults, particularly women, may also develop joint pain that can last a week or more.

Rubella’s real danger is for pregnant women. If a woman is infected during the first trimester, there’s up to a 90% chance she’ll pass the virus to her developing baby, and the consequences can be severe. Miscarriage, stillbirth, or a group of birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can occur. CRS can cause cataracts, congenital heart defects, hearing loss, and developmental delays, among other lifelong health problems. Rubella was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2004, but it’s still circulating in other parts of the world, and unvaccinated travelers can bring it back.

Who Needs the MMR Vaccine and When?

Children

The CDC recommends 2 doses of MMR vaccine for children. The first dose at 12-15 months of age, and the second dose before starting school (4-6 years old). The second dose can be given earlier than age 4-6 if needed, as long as it’s at least 28 days after the first dose.

Adults

Most adults born during or after 1957 need at least one dose of MMR vaccine unless they already have presumptive evidence of immunity, such as written documentation of previous MMR vaccination or laboratory confirmation of immunity or prior infection.

Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune to measles and mumps through natural exposure, though healthcare personnel in this age group without documented immunity should still be evaluated for vaccination.

Who Should Get a Second MMR Dose as an Adult?

A second dose is recommended for adults who fall into any of the following groups:

• Recently exposed to measles, or living/working in an active outbreak setting
• Previously vaccinated with an older, “killed” (inactivated) measles vaccine, used from 1963-1967
• Vaccinated with an unknown or unclear vaccine type during that same 1963-1967 period
• Students at colleges, universities, or other postsecondary schools
• Healthcare personnel
• Planning international travel

Get Your MMR Vaccine at The Shot Nurse

Whether you need to catch up on childhood doses, get a booster for school, work, or travel, or simply aren’t sure if you’re covered, our nurses can help you figure out what you need, no appointment required.

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