Who should have the MMR vaccine?

MMR vaccination is routinely given to children as part of the NHS childhood immunisation programme.

It can also be given on the NHS to older children and adults, and babies over six months of age, who need to be protected against measles, mumps and rubella, or in the event of a measles outbreak.

Which children should have the MMR vaccine?

The first dose of the MMR vaccine is offered to all babies at one year old.

Children are given a second dose of MMR before they start school, usually at 3 years and 4 months, although the second dose can be given as quickly as three months after the first if there's an urgent need, such as in an outbreak.

Some children who only have one dose of MMR may not be fully protected against measles, mumps and rubella. Up to 1 in 10 children are not fully immune after their first dose of MMR, but less than 1 in 100 children are still at risk after the second dose.

Which children should not have the MMR vaccine?

You should postpone your child's MMR jab if they're ill and have a high temperature (fever). If your child has a minor illness without fever, they can usually have vaccinations.

You may also want to postpone MMR vaccination if your child has had a bad reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine. It doesn't rule out having a further dose, but it's a good idea to speak to your GP, practice nurse or health visitor.

Your child should not have the MMR vaccination if they:

• are taking high-dose steroid tablets, or are taking lower doses either alongside other drugs or over a long time – if you're not sure, check with your GP
• have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction (a severe allergic reaction) to a previous dose of the MMR vaccine or a component of it
• are being treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or have had these treatments within the last six months
• have had an organ transplant and are on immunosuppressant drugs (drugs that stop your immune system working properly)
• have had a bone marrow transplant and finished all immunosuppressive therapy within the last 12 months
• have a lowered immune system – if you're not sure, check with your GP

Catching up on the MMR vaccine

Adults and children who are not immune because they missed one or all MMR doses when they were younger can have the MMR vaccine on the NHS at any age. This may include:

• teenagers
• adults
• travellers
• women preparing for pregnancy
• people exposed to measles during a measles outbreak

Read the NHS leaflet: measles - not just a kids' problem (PDF, 868kb).

Teenagers and MMR

Teenagers attending for their 3-in-1 teenage booster are generally asked about their MMR vaccination history.

If they missed one or both doses of MMR vaccine when they were younger, they can be given two doses of MMR vaccine on the NHS to protect them.

It's 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.

Find out why it's important for teenagers to be protected against mumps.

Adults and MMR

Adults who missed out on the MMR vaccination as a baby and are therefore not immune can have the MMR vaccine on the NHS. It's given to adults as two doses, with the second dose given at least a month after the first.

Some adults may not have received full protection because of changes in the MMR vaccine. Anyone born between 1980 and 1990 may not have received a mumps vaccine, and anyone born between 1970 and 1979 may have only had a measles vaccine. If you fall into one of these groups, ask your GP for the MMR vaccination.

Travellers and MMR

Anyone who is travelling to an area known to have had outbreaks of measles, mumps or rubella should receive the MMR vaccine before they travel.

Learn more about travel vaccinations.

Pregnancy and the MMR vaccine

If you're thinking of having a baby

If you're considering becoming pregnant, it's a good idea to check that you're fully protected against measles, mumps and rubella.

Rubella infection in pregnancy can lead to serious birth defects and miscarriage.

If you're not sure you've had two doses of the MMR vaccine, ask your GP practice to check.

If you haven't had both doses or there's no record available, you can have the vaccinations at your GP practice.

You should avoid becoming pregnant for one month after having MMR vaccination.

If you're already pregnant

The MMR vaccine cannot be given while you're pregnant, but it can be given when you're breastfeeding.

If you're currently pregnant and you're not sure whether you've had two doses of MMR, ask your GP practice to check your records.

If you haven't had two doses of the MMR vaccine or there's no record available, you should ask for the vaccine when you go for your six-week postnatal check-up after the birth. This will protect you from rubella in any future pregnancies.

If you're pregnant and develop a rash or come into contact with anyone who has a rash, you should contact your GP or midwife immediately – even if you've had two doses of the MMR vaccine.

MMR during measles outbreaks

In the event of a measles outbreak, the MMR vaccine can be given to protect people who have come into contact with the condition in the previous three days. This is because measles antibodies develop more quickly after vaccination than they do after a natural infection.

It isn't harmful to have an MMR vaccination if you're already immune. So, if there is any doubt about whether you have already been vaccinated, go ahead and ask your GP for a catch-up vaccination.

Now, read about how the MMR vaccination is given.

Which adults should not have the MMR vaccine?

Very few people are unable to have the MMR vaccine for medical reasons. However, as a general rule, you should not have the MMR vaccine if you:

• are pregnant – women should avoid becoming pregnant for one month after having the MMR vaccine
• have had an injection of immunoglobulin (antibodies to help fight infection) or another blood product in the previous three months
• have already had a severe allergic reaction to neomycin (an antibiotic) or gelatin (a substance used in foods such as jelly)
• have a weakened immune system

If you previously had an allergic reaction to the MMR vaccine, you may not be able to have another dose. You can discuss the risks of not having the full dose of MMR with a specialist, versus the likelihood and potential severity of having another allergic reaction if you choose to have another dose.

Read about the side effects of the MMR vaccine.