Measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine

Children

MMR vaccination is offered as part of the routine childhood schedule:

• First dose: 12 months of age
• Second dose: 18 months, as part of the MMR-V vaccine (which also includes protection against varicella, which is better known as chickenpox).

It is important that your child receives 2 doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected against measles. It's never too late – older children are still eligible for the free vaccine if they haven't already received it. See your GP or immunisation provider if your child hasn't received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine or check your child's immunisation records.

Infants aged between 6 months and less than 12 months are also eligible for a free MMR vaccine if they:

• are travelling overseas to countries with high measles activity – see the ‘Travelling overseas’ section below for more details.
• have recently been exposed to someone with measles while they were infectious.

Adolescents and adults

Anyone born after 1965 who has not received 2 doses of the measles vaccine, or is unsure of their vaccination 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
• people planning to get pregnant
• healthcare workers and people working with children

• workers in long-term care and correctional facilities.

MMR vaccination is not usually recommended for people born before 1966, as most developed natural immunity when measles was widespread in the community.

People born between 1966 and 1994 (or currently aged 30 to 60 years) 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 2 measles vaccine doses, you should check with your GP, particularly if you’re planning to travel overseas. You can receive another MMR dose if you are unsure.

If you haven’t had any measles vaccinations, you should have 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart.

Some immunisation providers may charge a fee for administering the vaccine. Check if there are costs when booking a vaccination appointment with your chosen provider.

Travelling overseas

Measles is common in many countries outside Australia, so it is important to be fully vaccinated before travelling overseas. For best protection, 2 doses of MMR vaccine are recommended, given at least 4 weeks apart. If you’re unsure whether you’ve had both doses, it is safe to receive another dose.

You should get an MMR vaccine at least 2 weeks before travelling, but it is best to see a GP or travel clinic at least 6 weeks before travelling in case you need multiple doses and to ensure full immunity develops.

Infants aged under 12 months who are travelling to countries with high measles activity can receive a free MMR vaccine from 6 months of age, following risk assessment by their GP or a travel clinic (consultation fees may apply). 

If an infant receives an MMR vaccine before 12 months of age, they will still need another 2 doses after 12 months of age. They should receive their next MMR dose at 12 months of age or at least 4 weeks after the first dose, whichever is later. The final MMR-V vaccine should be provided at 18 months of age, as routinely recommended.

People born before 1965 are usually immune to measles due to having the illness as a child.

Before being vaccinated, tell your immunisation provider if you:

• don’t feel well (for example, you have a fever)
• have any severe allergies (such as antibiotics, latex or 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 3 months
• have a disease (for example, HIV/AIDS or cancer) or receiving treatment that lowers immunity.

The MMR vaccine contains weakened versions of the measles, mumps and rubella viruses. It is not recommended for people who are severely immunocompromised or during pregnancy. You should wait at least 4 weeks after having the MMR vaccine before trying to get pregnant.

The vaccine should not be given to people who have had:

• anaphylaxis after a previous dose of any MMR vaccine
• anaphylaxis after any component of any MMR vaccine.

Pregnancy planning

Measles during pregnancy can have serious complications, such as miscarriage, early labour and stillbirth.

The MMR vaccine should not be given during pregnancy to protect you and the baby. It is important to get vaccinated against measles at least 4 weeks before trying to get pregnant.

Benefits

Before vaccination, about 100 Australian children died each year from measles. Today, measles deaths are extremely rare. However, recent global outbreaks have increased the risk of measles spreading in Australia. Vaccination helps prevent the spread of this highly infectious disease.

People who receive 2 doses of MMR are generally considered to have long-term protection against measles so there is no need for a booster dose.

Risks

Any medicine, including vaccines, can have potentially serious side effects, such as severe allergic reaction. However, the risk of this is extremely small. For possible side effects, see below.

Refer to ‘People not recommended to have the vaccine’ for additional information.

Vaccinated people can develop measles, but they generally have milder symptoms.

The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) records vaccines given in Australia to people of all ages. AIR captures all vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), such as school-based vaccines, WA state-funded immunisations and most privately purchased travel vaccines.

You can access your AIR vaccination history statement via myGov (external website), your GP or pharmacist. See Immunisation records for more details.

The AIR does not include vaccines given before 1996. For measles vaccines given prior to 1996, check your childhood vaccination records, including those that might be with your parents or ask your immunisation provider.

If you’re unsure If you have had 2 measles vaccine doses, it is safe to get another dose if you are not pregnant and don’t have medical conditions or treatments that lower immunity.

All vaccines used in Australia undergo strict safety testing before approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (external site). Vaccine safety is continually monitored through AusVaxSafety a national program that tracks vaccine reactions each year.More information is available through AusVaxSafety for more information (external site) and vaccine safety.

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. A single dose of MMR vaccine is around 93 per cent effective against measles, with protection increasing to around 97 per cent after a second MMR dose.

Learn more about vaccine safety.

Common side effects

Common side effects of MMR vaccines are usually mild, occur soon after vaccination, last 1 to 2 days, and resolve without special treatment. These can include:

• low-grade fever
• muscle aches
• soreness, swelling, redness and a small lump where the needle was given.

The following reactions may occur 5 to 12 days after 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.

There is an increased risk of febrile seizures, mainly in children under 3 years of age. If they occur, it is usually 7 to 10 days after vaccination.

Serious side effects

Vaccines, like all medicine, can cause side effects. Serious reactions, such as a severe allergic reaction, are extremely rare and usually happen within minutes to a few hours after vaccination. Immunisation providers are trained to recognise and manage allergic reactions.

You can learn more about possible side effects of vaccination and what to do if they occur.

When to seek help

If you or someone you care for experiences a reaction that worries you, seek medical advice:

• tell your immunisation provider if you’re still at the clinic
• see your doctor
• phone 1800MEDICARE on 1800 633 422
• visit your hospital emergency department
• call an ambulance.

Concerns about side effects

Your immunisation provider should report all suspected significant reactions, but you can also make a report.

Report any reaction that causes concern, whether minor or serious, to the Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system (external site) – WA’s central reporting service for significant adverse events (reactions) following immunisation.

Report it:

• via the WA Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system (external site) website
• by phoning WAVSS on 6456 0208 (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday).

WAVSS may contact you for further information.

For more information, visit Reporting side effects after immunisation

The MMR vaccine is available from:

• GPs (general practices)
• pharmacies
• travel clinics
• Aboriginal Medical Services
• community health clinics.

The free MMR vaccine for infants travelling overseas to countries with high measles activity is only available in GP clinics and travel clinics. This dose provides early protection against measles and does not replace the recommended doses of MMR at 12 months and MMR-V at 18 months of age.

Some immunisation providers may charge a consultation fee for administering the vaccine. You should check if there are any costs when making an appointment with your chosen immunisation provider. 

For more information, see Where can I get immunised?