When should it be done? of MMR

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The first MMR vaccination is given to children at around 13 months of age, with a booster dose given before they start school (usually between 3 and 5 years old). Between 5 and 10% of children are not fully immune after the first dose, so the booster gives increased protection resulting in less than 1% remaining at risk.

Women who may be considering pregnancy should ask their GP to screen them (using a simple blood test) to check whether they are fully immune to rubella. Women who were born before 1988 were only given one vaccination against rubella, compared to those born later who received the recommended two doses of MMR.

Women who find that their protection from rubella is low or uncertain are routinely offered a single rubella vaccination. However, if this is not available, they may be offered MMR to provide the immunity they need.

Rubella in pregnancy can cause serious problems in the developing baby. Doctors advise women to avoid pregnancy for one month after a rubella vaccination. Pregnant women who have not been screened prior to conceiving and find out (through routine antenatal blood tests) that their immunity is low will be offered a rubella vaccination after delivery of the baby, normally at their six-week postnatal check.

In the event of a measles outbreak, MMR can be used to protect people who may have come into contact with the disease within the previous 72 hours (3 days). This is because the development of measles antibodies following vaccination is faster than as a result of natural infection. Current advice states that there are no ill effects from vaccinating people who are already immune (eg if there is any doubt whether they have already been vaccinated).