M-M-R II (Measles, Mumps, And Rubella Virus Vaccine Live)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is M-M-R II Used For?
M-M-R II is a vaccine that helps protect you and your child from three serious diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. It can be given to people 12 months of age and older.
Primary Uses
M-M-R II protects against measles (which causes high fever, rash, and can lead to brain infection), mumps (which causes swollen glands and can affect testicles in males), and rubella (which is especially dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause birth defects).
How It Works
The vaccine contains weakened strains of living measles, mumps, and rubella viruses that cause mild or no symptoms. When injected, it causes your body to produce antibodies that fight these infections. If you’re later exposed to these diseases, your body is ready to destroy the viruses. Maximum protection develops within 4-6 weeks.
Good to know: The chance of a severe reaction from M-M-R II is very small, but the risks from not being vaccinated are very serious.
How M-M-R II Is Given
A doctor or nurse will give you or your child this vaccine as an injection. You don’t need to do anything to prepare for the vaccination.
Dosage Instructions
The dose for children, teenagers, and adults is 0.5 mL. The vaccine is usually given once to people 12 months of age or older. If given to children younger than 12 months, a second injection should be given on or after 15 months of age. The injection is given just under the skin or into the muscle of the upper arm or outer thigh.
Follow-up Appointments
Keep your child’s follow-up appointment with your doctor or clinic. It’s important to have any indicated follow-up doses at the appropriate time to ensure the best protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Important: If your child has a blood-clotting disorder, the vaccine should be given under the skin rather than into the muscle to prevent bleeding.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Mild burning and/or stinging at injection site
- Local reaction around injection site (soreness, redness, swelling, hard lump)
- Fever, feeling unwell, sore throat, cough, runny or blocked nose
- Dizziness, headache
- Feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, diarrhea
- Unsteadiness when walking
- Irritability
- Limited rash
- Swelling of neck glands
- Swelling of salivary glands
- Unusual bleeding or bruising under skin
- Swelling of testicles or epididymis
- Itchiness of skin
- Joint pain and/or swelling (more common in adult females)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Rash all over the body
- Severe joint aches or arthritis
- Bruising or purple spots on skin
- Lung swelling causing breathing difficulties
- Seizures or convulsions
- Headache and fever with hallucinations, confusion, stiff neck
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in hands, arms, legs, or feet
- Fainting
- Severe blisters with bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose, or genitals
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Swelling of face, lips, mouth, throat, or neck
- Swelling of hands, feet, or ankles
- Hives (pinkish, itchy swellings)
- Skin rash and itchiness
Important Warnings
There are certain situations when M-M-R II should not be given. Make sure to tell your doctor about all medical conditions and medications.
Who Should Not Take M-M-R II
Do not get M-M-R II if you or your child: have an allergy to M-M-R II, neomycin antibiotic, eggs, or gelatin; have an infection with fever; have active untreated tuberculosis; are taking medicines that decrease immune system function (like corticosteroids, cyclosporin, cancer medicines); have diseases that decrease immune system function (like leukemia, lymphoma, AIDS); or are pregnant.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you or your child have: febrile convulsions, brain damage, epilepsy, low blood platelet count, HIV, recent blood transfusion or immune serum globulins (may need to delay vaccine for 3 months), allergies to other medicines or vaccines, or blood clotting disorders.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not get M-M-R II if you are pregnant. Do not become pregnant for 1 month after receiving the vaccine. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about the possible risks and benefits before getting the vaccine.
Pregnancy Warning: This vaccine must not be given during pregnancy and pregnancy should be avoided for 1 month after vaccination.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with M-M-R II and affect how well it works. Always tell your healthcare provider about all medications you’re taking.
Important: Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking, including those bought without a prescription.
- Corticosteroids (like prednisone) – may reduce vaccine effectiveness
- Cyclosporin – may reduce vaccine effectiveness
- Cancer medicines – may reduce vaccine effectiveness
- Other vaccines – should be given one month before or after M-M-R II
Alcohol & Driving
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol consumption or driving restrictions with M-M-R II vaccine.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol restrictions mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
No specific driving restrictions mentioned, though dizziness and unsteadiness are possible side effects.
Storage
It’s unlikely you’ll need to store M-M-R II yourself. If you do need to store it: keep it in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C, but not in the door compartment. Do not freeze it. Keep it where children cannot reach it. Protect from light by keeping it in the original pack until use.
Overdose Information
M-M-R II is given as a single measured dose by a healthcare professional, so overdose is unlikely. The vaccine contains a specific amount (0.5 mL) and is administered once or as directed by your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may take up to 4-6 weeks for maximum protection to develop after receiving the vaccine.
As with all vaccines, 100% protection against measles, mumps, and rubella cannot be guaranteed, but the vaccine provides very good protection.
The vaccine contains weakened strains of living viruses that cause either mild or no symptoms of infection, not the actual diseases.
Fever is a common side effect that usually improves within a few days. Speak to your doctor if the fever is troublesome or ongoing.
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice signs of serious allergic reaction like wheezing, swelling of face or throat, or difficulty breathing. Most serious reactions occur within 15-30 minutes of vaccination.
Yes, M-M-R II can be given to people 12 months of age and older, including adults who need protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
No special preparation is needed. Make sure your child doesn’t have a fever or active infection on the day of vaccination, and inform the healthcare provider of any medical conditions or medications.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.