Measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine

Children

• MMR vaccination is offered as part of the routine childhood schedule:
  • First dose: at 12 months of age
  • Second dose: at 18 months, as part of the MMRV vaccine (which also includes protection against varicella/chickenpox)

Infants aged under 12 months, who are travelling overseas to countries experiencing a measles outbreak can be vaccinated with a measles vaccine (MMR) from six months of age, see “Travelling overseas?” section for more information. 

It is important that your child receives 2 doses of the MMR vaccine to be protected. It's never too late; older children are still eligible for the measles vaccine if they haven't received it yet.

Teenagers and adults

• Anyone born after 1965 who has not received two doses of MMR vaccine, or is unsure of the immunisation history, should get vaccinated.
• This is especially important for:
  • Adults who may have missed childhood vaccines
  • People planning to travel to areas with known measles outbreaks
  • Healthcare workers and people working with children
  • Workers in long-term care and correctional facilities

Travelling overseas?

It is particularly important to make sure you are fully vaccinated against measles before travelling internationally.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening illness which is common in many countries outside of Australia. There are currently a number of measles outbreaks occurring overseas. Visit Smartraveller for more information on individual country advice.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease but you need to have 2 doses of the measles vaccine to be optimally protected. Recent measles cases in WA have been traced back to people who travelled overseas and had only received one dose of the measles vaccine.

Infants aged under 12 months, who are travelling overseas to countries experiencing a measles outbreak can receive a free measles vaccine (MMR) from six months of age, after an individual risk assessment by their general practitioner (GP) or at a travel clinic (consultation fees may apply). Measles vaccine may also be provided to infants between 6 and 12 months of age if they have recently been exposed to someone with measles while they were infectious.

If an infant receives an MMR vaccine before 12 months, they will still need another 2 doses of MMR after 12 months of age. They should receive the next dose of MMR vaccine at 12 months of age or 4 weeks after the 1^st dose, whichever is later. They should receive their final dose of measles-containing vaccine as MMRV vaccine at 18 months of age as routinely recommended.

Planning to get pregnant?

Measles can have serious complications, especially for pregnant women and their babies, such as miscarriage, early labour and stillbirth.

You shouldn’t have the measles vaccine during pregnancy – so to protect yourself and your baby, it's important to get vaccinated against measles at least 4 weeks before trying to get pregnant.

Before being vaccinated, you tell your provider if you:

• aren't feeling well (for example you have a fever).
• have any severe allergies (such as antibiotics, latex, gelatine)
• are pregnant or plan to get pregnant soon
• have received another live vaccination in the last month.
• have received blood, blood products or immunoglobulin in the last three months.
• have a disease (for example HIV/AIDS or cancer) or having treatment that lowers immunity.

For more information please speak to your immunisation provider.

Pregnant women and the MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine contains weakened versions of the measles, mumps and rubella viruses; as a precaution, it is not recommended for pregnant women.

If you are planning to get pregnant, you should wait at least four weeks after having the MMR vaccine before trying to get pregnant.

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Before vaccination, about 100 Australian children died each year from measles. Today, deaths from measles are extremely rare.

Following MMR vaccination, some people get a few, temporary side effects such as fever with mild malaise and rash. These side effects can last a few days.

There is also an increased risk for febrile seizures, mainly in children under 3. These are likely to occur 7 to 10 days after vaccination.

Common side effects

• low-grade fever
• muscle aches
• soreness, swelling and redness and a small lump appearing at the injection site.

These symptoms normally occur soon after you received the vaccine, last 1 to 2 days, and resolve without requiring special treatment.

The following reactions may occur 5 to 12 days after the vaccination:

• high fever over 39 °C lasting 2 to 3 days
• faint red rash (not infectious)
• runny nose, cough and/or puffy eyes
• swelling of salivary glands
• drowsiness or tiredness.

Severe side effects

A severe reaction following the administration of MMR vaccine is very rare (less than 1 in 1 million doses administered).

The Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system is the central reporting service in WA for any significant adverse events following immunisation.

If you have experienced an adverse reaction to a vaccine:

• report it online at Western Australia Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) (external site)
• phone WAVSS on (08) 9321 1312 Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4.30pm.

You can check for your immunisation records on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). The AIR is a national register that records vaccines given to people of all ages in Australia.

The AIR captures all vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program such as school-based vaccines and most privately funded vaccines such as influenza and travel vaccines.

Unfortunately, measles vaccines given prior to 1996 are not able to be recorded on the AIR. You should check your vaccination records including those that might be with your parents. You can also check with the GP or other immunisation provider where you had your vaccinations.

The MMR vaccine is available in metropolitan and country WA from immunisation providers including GPs, pharmacists, travel clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services and community health immunisation clinics.

The free MMR vaccine for infants travelling overseas to countries experiencing a measles outbreak is only available in general practice and travel clinics. This dose provides early protection and does not replace the recommended doses of MMR at 12 months and MMRV at 18 months.

For further information contact your immunisation provider.

Find out where you can get immunised.

What is MMR vaccine?

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine offers a high level of protection against disease caused by measles, mumps and rubella viruses.  This combination vaccine provides direct protection to individuals who receive the vaccine and can help reduce the spread of these viruses in the community.  

Measles is the most infectious of all vaccine-preventable diseases and can have serious complications.

When are children vaccinated against measles?

Children are offered their first dose of MMR vaccine at 12 months of age through the National Immunisation Program.  A second dose is given to children at 18 months which also includes the varicella vaccine to protect against chickenpox (varicella) and is known as the MMRV vaccine.

MMR and MMRV combination vaccines are the only measles-containing vaccines available in Australia – you cannot get a vaccine for measles only.

It is important that your child receives two doses of MMR-containing vaccine to be protected. It's never too late; older children are still eligible for the free vaccine if they haven't received it yet.  In fact, two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended for everyone born after 1965.

See your GP or immunisation provider if your child hasn't received their 2 doses of the MMR vaccine. Find out how to check your child's immunisation records.

Can infants under 12 months be vaccinated for measles if they are travelling overseas?

Infants travelling overseas to countries where measles is circulating can be vaccinated with a MMR vaccine from six months of age. This pre-travel dose is free to infants (although your GP or travel clinic may charge a consultation fee).

Measles vaccine may also be provided to infants between six and 12 months of age if they have recently been exposed to someone with measles while they were infectious.

It is important to remember that if an infant receives a MMR vaccine before 12 months of age they will still need to have another two doses of MMR-containing vaccine after they reach their first birthday, as per the WA Immunisation Schedule.  The child should receive the next dose of MMR vaccine at 12 months of age or four weeks after the first dose, whichever is later. The second MMR dose is given as MMRV at 18 months of age.

General information about staying safe from measles while travelling is available on the following websites: Smartravellerand healthdirect (under travel vaccinations).

How effective is the measles vaccine?

A single dose of MMR vaccine is approximately 93% effective against measles illness and after a second MMR dose, protection increases to 97%.

How long do measles vaccines last? Will I need a booster?

People who receive two doses of MMR are generally considered to have long-term protection against measles so there is no need for a booster dose.

Can you still get measles if you have been vaccinated?

Yes, but it is very unlikely. Vaccinated people who do develop measles generally have milder symptoms.

Is it safe to get a measles vaccine when you can’t remember if you have had one before?

Yes, it is safe to get the MMR vaccine if you can’t remember if you already have had it.  However, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions are not recommended to get the MMR vaccine. Check with your immunisation provider.

Why don’t people born before 1966 need a measles vaccination?

Measles vaccination is not recommended for people born before 1966 as the virus circulated widely in the community prior to this time and most people would have acquired immunity from natural infection.

Why are people born from 1966 to 1994 more likely not have received 2 doses of MMR vaccine?

A single dose of measles vaccine was introduced in the late 1960s and measles cases dropped dramatically. In 1994, a second measles dose was added to the national childhood immunisation schedule to increase the level of measles protection in the community.

People born from1966 to 1994 (or currently aged 30-60 years old) are considered at a greater risk of measles because they are less likely to have had a measles vaccine or they have had only one dose.

If you're in this age group and not sure if you have had two measles doses you should check with your GP, particularly if you’re planning to travel overseas. It's safe to have another measles vaccine dose if you are uncertain whether you’ve had two doses.

If you haven’t had any measles vaccinations, then you should have two doses given at least four weeks apart.