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Measles/Mumps/Rubella Vaccine, Injection MEE-zels mumpz roo-BEL-a vak-SEEN

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vaccine

Generic and brand names: measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, injection; M-M-R II

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (a shot) to provide protection against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). This vaccine may not protect everyone who gets the vaccine. It does not treat an infection that has already started.

What should my healthcare provider know before I receive this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

  • a reaction to other vaccine shots or any other medicine
  • an allergic reaction to eggs or to gelatin
  • a brain tumor or head injury
  • a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or cancer, or from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, medicine to prevent rejection of organ transplants, or steroid medicine
  • a bleeding disorder, blood disorder, or bone marrow disease such as leukemia or lymphoma
  • tuberculosis (TB)
  • seizures
  • a blood or plasma transfusion or treatment with immune globulin.

Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection of any kind. If you are severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. If you have a mild cold or other mild infection, you may still be able to get your shot.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have recently had any other shots or vaccines.

Females of childbearing age: This vaccine is not given to pregnant women. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not become pregnant for 3 months after you have this vaccine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These shots are given by your healthcare provider. The medicine is most effective when given before exposure to the disease.

Most children and some adults may need more than 1 shot. It is usually given to adults and children over 12 months old. For children, the first dose is usually given between the ages of 12 and 15 months, and a second dose at age 4 to 6 years. It may be given earlier, if it has been at least 28 days after the first dose.

Your healthcare provider will tell you how many shots you will need and when you should get them. Your healthcare provider will tell you how many shots you will need and when you should get them. Get all the shots on schedule to provide complete protection. Keep a record of when each vaccine was last given. If a shot is missed, contact your healthcare provider right away and schedule another appointment for the shot.

This vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

What should I watch out for?

If you have a serious reaction (hives, swelling in your mouth or throat, trouble breathing), contact your healthcare provider or get medical care right away.

This vaccine can temporarily reduce skin reactions to the TB test. The TB skin test should be given before this vaccine.

This medicine may cause a brief burning or stinging at the site of the shot. There may also be some redness or tenderness.

This medicine may cause a brief fever of 101° to 103°F (38° to 39°C). If the fever doesn't go away or goes above 103°F (39°C), contact your healthcare provider.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): High fever (over 103°F), seizures, bruising or purple spots on the skin, severe headache or stiff neck, unusual weakness, numbness in the arms or legs, trouble hearing, extreme fussiness or change in behavior.

Other: Mild fever, mild rash, headache, sore mouth or throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given, sore muscles or joints, sore testicles, runny nose, cough.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also have an effect. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

  • arthritis medicines such as infliximab (Remicade), leflunomide (Arava), or methotrexate
  • chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or medicines to treat cancer
  • corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone, A-HydroCort), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone, prednisolone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
  • immune globulin
  • immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), mycophenolate (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic)

Keep a record of all vaccines received and when you received them.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.


This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.


Developed by RelayHealth.
Medication Advisor 2012.1 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2012-02-01
Last reviewed: 2011-12-14
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
© 2012 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
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