Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is used to prevent diseases caused by measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. This medicine may also be used during measles outbreak or as a post-exposure vaccination.
Measles virus can cause rashes, fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Mumps virus can cause fever, headache, muscle ache, tiredness, loss of appetite and swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears (one or both ears). Rubella virus can cause fever, sore throat, rash, headache, and eye irritation. Both viruses can spread through mucus or saliva when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is to be given intramuscularly (into the muscle) or subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the thigh or upper arm).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The total number of injections you will receive will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of your vaccination depending on your age.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- illness with fever
- active untreated TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- blood disorder or any type of cancer that affects blood and vessels
- very weak immune system or family history of immune system problems
as Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine may not be suitable for you.
Do not use Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while using this medicine and 1 month after vaccination.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of brain injury
- history of fits or seizures
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
If you are going for diagnostic tests (e.g. tests for TB detection), inform your doctor that you are using this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. Do not receive any other vaccinations without first asking your doctor.
Notify your doctor if you recently had a blood transfusion or if you received other blood products.
Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine may cause any of the following side effects: fainting, fever, rash, irritability, loss of appetite, headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and redness, pain, swelling, and bruising at the injection site.
If you develop signs and symptoms of allergic reactions (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes), alert your doctor immediately.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- high-dose anti-inflammatory medicine e.g. prednisone
- other live vaccines e.g. flu vaccine
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.
Protect from light. Light may cause the medication to lose some of its effectiveness.
Keep away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
