children s health issues
Measles
Prevention of Measles
MMR vaccine Measles vaccine is given as part of the combined Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine , which contains live but weakened measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. The MMR vaccine is one of the The MMR vaccine generally provides lasting immunity and has decreased cases of measles in the United States by 99%. Two doses of MMR vaccine are routinely recommended. The first dose is given between 12 and 15 months of age but can be given to children as young as 6 months during a measles outbreak or before international travel. The second dose is given between 4 years and 6 years of age. Children who were less than 1 year of age when immunized still need 2 more doses after their first birthday. cause autism (see Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: Concerns about Autism ). MMR is a live vaccine and is not given during pregnancy. For more information about who should and who should not receive the MMR vaccine, see Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine . See also Children (and adults) who are exposed to measles and who do not have immunity may be given the vaccine within 3 days of exposure and may then be protected. People who should not receive the MMR vaccine, such as pregnant women and people with a severely weakened immune system, may be protected if they receive an injection of immune globulin within 6 days of exposure. People who receive immune globulin can be given the MMR vaccine 5 to 6 months later if possible. 