infections
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine
Introduction
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a combination vaccine that helps protect against these three serious viral infections. The vaccine contains live but weakened measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. The combination vaccine is used because anyone who needs protection against one of these infections also needs protection against the other two. Separate vaccines are not available. These infections can cause serious problems: Measles causes a rash, fever, and cough. It affects mainly children and can be very serious. It can lead to brain damage, pneumonia, and sometimes death. Mumps causes the salivary glands to swell and become painful. Mumps can affect the testes, brain, and pancreas, especially in adults. Mumps is more serious in adults. Rubella (German measles) causes a runny nose, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash with a light reddening of the skin, especially the face. In adults, it may cause joint pain. If pregnant women get rubella, they may miscarry, the fetus may die, or the baby may have very severe birth defects. The MMR vaccine and the Varicella Vaccine are also available as a combined vaccine (MMRV vaccine). For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine information statement. (See also Overview of Immunization .) 