Advice and resources : MMR vaccine

Overview

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious conditions that can have serious, potentially fatal complications, including meningitis, swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and deafness.

MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against 3 serious diseases – measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) – in a single injection. The full course of MMR vaccination requires 2 doses to achieve an optimal immune response. These vaccinations are normally given before primary school.

If your child has missed any doses of MMR vaccine when they were younger, they can be given 1 or 2 doses of MMR vaccine in school. Your child will be invited to have the vaccination at school. If your child does not currently attend school, they will be invited to an alternative local community venue.

It is especially important for teenagers leaving home for college to be up to date with the MMR vaccine as they are at higher risk of mumps.