Influenza & FluMist Vaccinations
Tetanus (Tdap) Vaccinations
Hepatitis A & B Vaccinations
Mantoux Testing & Readings for Tuberculosis
Meningococcal Vaccinations
MMR (Measels, Mumps & Rubella) Vaccinations
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccinations
Pneumonia (Pneumococcal) Vaccinations
Rabies Vaccinations
Shingles Zoster Vaccinations
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MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Vaccinations
This vaccination is given in a series of 2 in child hood, with an additional vaccination to boost immunity at age 18 or in the event of a community outbreak. Measles is a serious illness that can lead to death. Mumps can lead to deafness, meningitis, infertility and rarely death. Rubella or “German measles” causes fetal birth defects if a pregnant woman is exposed to it.
Recommendations: This vaccination is recommended for everyone except pregnant women. Contact us for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is measles?
Measles is an infectious viral disease that occurs most often in the late winter and spring. It begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). A rash starts on the face and upper neck, spreads down the back and trunk, then extends to the arms and hands, as well as the legs and feet. After about five days, the rash fades the same order it appeared.
How can I catch measles?
Measles is highly contagious. Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards. The measles virus resides in the mucus in the nose and throat of infected people. When they sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air and the droplets remain active and contagious on infected surfaces for up to two hours.
How serious is measles?
Measles itself is unpleasant, but the complications are dangerous. Six to 20 percent of the people who get the disease will get an ear infection, diarrhea, or even pneumonia. One out of 1000 people with measles will develop inflammation of the brain, and about one out of 1000 will die.
What is mumps?
A disease of the parotid salivary glands caused by a virus.
How serious is mumps?
Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle ache, and swelling of the parotid salivary glands (which are located in the area between the neck and jaw area, below the ears). Complications can include
Meningitis, inflammation of the testicles or ovaries, inflammation of the pancreas and deafness (usually permanent).
How is mumps transmitted?
It is spread by contact with an infected person, through coughing and sneezing.
What causes rubella?
Rubella is caused by a virus.
Rubella spreads from person to person through the air. Rubella is contagious but less so than measles and chickenpox.
What are the symptoms of rubella?
Children with rubella usually first break out in a rash, which starts on the face and progresses down the body. Older children and adults usually first suffer from low-grade fever, swollen glands in the neck or behind the ears, and upper respiratory infection before they develop a rash. Adult women often develop pain and stiffness in their finger, wrist, and knee joints, which may last up to a month. Up to half of people infected with rubella virus have no symptoms at all.
How serious is rubella?
Rubella is usually a mild disease in children; adults tend to have more complications. The main concern with rubella disease, however, is the effect it has on an infected pregnant woman. Rubella infection in the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to fetal death, premature delivery, and serious birth defects.
What are possible complications from rubella?
Encephalitis (brain infection) occurs in one in 6,000 cases, usually in adults. Temporary blood problems, including low platelet levels and hemorrhage, also occur rarely. Up to 70% of adult women with rubella have pain and/or swelling of the joints, which is usually temporary.
The most serious complication of rubella infection is Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), the result when the rubella virus attacks a developing fetus. Up to 85% of infants infected during the first trimester of pregnancy will be born with some type of birth defect, including deafness, eye defects, heart defects, mental retardation, and more. Infection early in the pregnancy (less than 12 weeks gestation) is the most dangerous; defects are rare when infection occurs after 20 weeks gestation.
Is there a treatment for rubella?
There is no "cure" for rubella, only supportive treatment (e.g., bed rest, fluids, and fever reduction).
As an adult, do I need the MMR vaccine?
You do not need the MMR vaccine if you
- had blood tests that show you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella
- are a man born before 1957
- are a woman born before 1957 who is sure she is not having more children, has already had rubella vaccine, or has had a positive rubella test
- already had two doses of MMR or one dose of MMR plus a second dose of measles vaccine
- already had one dose of MMR and are not at high risk of measles exposure.
You should get the measles vaccine if you are not among the categories listed above, and
- are a college student, trade school student, or other student beyond high school
- work in a hospital or other medical facility
- travel internationally, or are a passenger on a cruise ship
- are a woman of childbearing age.
MMR Vaccine Information Statement (PDF 43KB)
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