Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

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Measles Overview

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus. Symptoms include high fever, cough, watery eyes, and full body rash. Infected people spread measles by coughing or sneezing. Measles virus may remain in the air for 2 hours after an infected person has left.

Read more about measles and how it affects people on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles has the following symptoms:

  • High fever
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes
  • Rash

Three to five days after symptoms start, a rash breaks out from the face and spreads downward across the body down to the feet. The rash appears as flat red spots and may join together as they spread.

Who is at risk?

Babies and young children are at higher risk for severe complications from measles.

Limit the spread of measles

Measles is incredibly contagious. The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.

Mumps Overview

What is mumps?

Mumps is a highly contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. Symptoms include puffy cheeks, a tender swollen jaw, fever, headache, and muscle aches. The disease is spread by direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets. An infected person can spread the virus by:

  • Coughing, sneezing, or talking.
  • Sharing items with saliva on them, such as water bottles or cups.
  • Close-contact activities like sports, dancing, or kissing.

Read more about mumps and how it affects people on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

What are the symptoms of mumps?

Mumps causes salivary glands to swell under the ears (parotitis), which leads to the following symptoms:

  • Puffy cheeks and tender, swollen jaw
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite

Who is at risk?

Adults are more at risk for severe complications from mumps. Complications can include:

  • Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) or ovaries (oophoritis)
  • Inflammation of breast tissue (mastitis)
  • Inflammation of the pancreas
  • Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
  • Deafness

Limit the spread of mumps

The best way to protect from mumps is to get vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. Vaccination prevents most cases and complications from mumps.

An infected person can spread mumps a few days before symptoms. Those with mumps should avoid contact with others by staying home and avoiding social events.

If someone needs to interact with an infected person, they should:

  • Be vaccinated to reduce chance of infection.
  • Avoid close contact.
  • Avoid touching their face.
  • Wear a mask.
  • Keep the space ventilated.

If handling used dishware, clothing or items from a sick person, wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds afterwards.

Rubella Overview

What is rubella?

Rubella, also called German measles, is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms include a red rash that starts on the face and moves to the rest of the body, fever, and headache. The disease is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Rubella was eliminated in the United States in 2004 but infected travelers can cause rubella cases in the states.

Read more about rubella and how it affects people on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

What are the symptoms of rubella?

Rubella has the following symptoms:

  • Red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body
  • Low-grade fever
  • Headache
  • Redness or swelling of the white of the eye (pink eye)
  • General discomfort
  • Swollen and enlarged lymph nodes
  • Cough
  • Runny nose

A quarter to half of people infected with rubella will not have symptoms.

Who is at risk?

Pregnant people are at increased risk for rubella. Pregnant people who get rubella may cause a miscarriage, birth defects, or infant death.

Up to 70% of women who get rubella may experience arthritis.

Limit the spread of rubella

People infected with rubella can spread the disease to others up to one week before symptoms appear. This is why MMR vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rubella infection.

People infected with rubella should stay at home and avoid social events. Inform friends, family, work, and school or daycare providers if you have rubella.

If someone needs to interact with a person with measles, they should:

  • Be vaccinated to reduce chance of infection.
  • Avoid close contact.
  • Avoid touching their face.
  • Wear a mask.
  • Keep the space ventilated.

MMR Vaccine

When do people get the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine?

Children should receive 2 doses of MMR vaccine.

  • The first dose is given between 12 to 15 months of age.
  • The second dose is given between 4 to 6 years of age.

Adults who have never been vaccinated should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.

Health care staff without MMR immunity should get two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

Any person aged 6 months or older travelling internationally should be protected against measles. Talk to your doctor if this situation applies to you or your family.

Some people should not get MMR vaccine:

  • Those with weakened immune systems should not get MMR vaccine.
  • Those with tuberculosis should not get MMR vaccine.
  • Those with a condition that makes them bruise or bleed easily should not get MMR vaccine.

Some people should wait to get MMR vaccine:

  • Pregnant people should wait to get MMR vaccine until they are no longer pregnant.
  • Those who have received other vaccines within the last 4 weeks should wait to get MMR vaccine.
  • Those who have given a blood transfusion or received blood products should wait at least 3 months for MMR vaccine.

What are the side effects of MMR vaccine?

Most people experience minor or no side effects. The most common side effects of MMR vaccine include:

  • Sore arm or redness where the vaccine is given
  • Fever
  • Mild rash
  • Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints

This vaccine is continually monitored for safety. The benefits and side effects of this vaccine outweigh the risk of getting measles, mumps, or rubella.

Why is MMR vaccine important?

Getting two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles and rubella, and 88% effective against mumps. Vaccinated people who do get sick from the disease have milder symptoms.

Getting vaccinated protects yourself, your family, and others in the community. This protects people who can’t get vaccinated, such as those with weakened immune systems, infants, and pregnant people.

Before vaccination was available, 3 to 4 million people got measles each year in the United States. This lead to 48,000 hospitalizations, 1,000 cases of brain swelling (encephalitis), and 400 to 500 deaths a year.

Since the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963, measles cases have reduced by 99%.

Even with fewer cases, vaccines are still important because the United States still has outbreaks of disease in unvaccinated populations, high-risk groups, and international travelers.

Vaccine Information Statement and Resources

The Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) is given to parents/guardians at the time of vaccination. It explains the benefits and risks of the specific vaccination.

Read the current MMR Vaccine VIS from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Additional resources for the public

Childhood Vaccine Program

The Washington State Childhood Vaccination Program provides vaccines to children 18 years of age and younger at no cost. MMR vaccine is included in this program.

View participating health care providers on the Department of Health’s Vaccine Provider Map.

MMR Vaccine Requirement for Schools

MMR vaccine is required for child care and school entry in the state of Washington. Learn more about school and child care immunization requirements by visiting the family friendly school immunization requirements web page.