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Measles spreads from person to person very easily through coughs, sneezes and close contact. It can lead to serious problems with the lungs or brain and can cause blindness and death, especially in young children. Since the introduction of a Measles vaccine in 1986 there has been a decrease in the number of cases from over 460,000 to only 130 in 2014.
Mumps spreads from person to person very easily through coughs, sneezes and close contact. It causes painful swelling of the glands of the face, jaw and neck and can lead to serious complications such as meningitis, swelling of the ovaries or testicals leading to infertility, swelling of the pancreas and brain, and temporary hearing loss. In 2020 there were 3738 confirmed cases of mumps, with over 90% of cases in people aged 15 years or over. This was much higher before the introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1998.
Rubella can be very serious for pregnant people and their babies, and can cause miscarriage. It can cause serious birth defects if caught during pregnancy affecting almost any part of the body. Rubella infections are now rare, with only 10 in total between 2015 and 2017.
Further information about the MMR vaccine can be found here
A leaflet in 7 different languages about the diseases and the vaccination can be accessed here
MMRVaxPro, produced by Merck Sharp & Dohme (UK) Limited, is the first choice MMR vaccine used for the programme. This product contains gelatin that may not be suitable for all young people. Full product details can be accessed here
Priorix, produced by GlaxoSmithKlien UK, is a gelatin free MMR vaccine. Full product details can be accessed here
A review of 87 studies, involving 13 million children, has son that MMR vaccination is safe and there is no link between the vaccination and autism, speech delay or other delays to brain development.
Over 20 million vaccinations have been given safely in the UK since the start of the vaccination programme in 1988.
Over 99% of those who have 2 doses of the vaccine will be protected against Measles
Over 99% of those who have 2 doses will be protected against Rubella
Over 88% of those who have 2 doses will be protected against Mumps
This is not advised in England. There is no good evidence for giving the vaccines separately.
Children would need 6 separate injections instead of 2, each one can be uncomfortable. This leaves children unprotected for longer.
There is no evidence on giving the vaccines separately, and it is unclear how long a gap to leave for them to be most effective.
Your child should have received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine before they started school.
If they have not had these, they should have them as soon as possible with at least 4 weeks in between.
They are able to have the vaccinations if between 6 and 25 years old.
Children between the ages of 6 and 16 (school year 11) can receive their vaccination from the School Aged Immunisation Service at a local community clinic.
To check if you child is up to date, and to book an appointment, please contact the Single Point of Access on 0300 247 0082 or email vcl.immunisations@nhs.net
The vaccination is available at your GP practice for all ages up to the age of 25 years old. Please contact your practice to check if you child is up to date and to book an appointment.
