Measles Mumps and Rubella
Everyone needs protection from measles, mumps and rubella – these are harmful, highly infectious diseases that are preventable with two doses of a combine MMR vaccine.
Measles, mumps and rubella were all extremely common before the vaccine was introduced in 1988. They often caused complications, and also in some cases proved fatal or caused serious disability for children and for adults. Rubella – also called “German measles” – was a much-feared cause of deafness and birth defects in babies born to women who became infected during pregnancy. That is why vaccination against these three diseases is so important.
Since the vaccine rollout, rates of infection have dropped dramatically, however there are still periodic outbreaks among unvaccinated people that easily spread to babies who are too young to be vaccinated. Even a slight reduction in vaccination rates creates the potential for significant outbreaks to occur, so it is really important for children to continue to be vaccinated.
Adults born between 1980 and 1990 may never have been vaccinated as children, and are less likely than older adults to have had all three diseases – particularly mumps – during childhood.
Health Clearance for Employment
Healthcare workers are normally required to demonstrate previous MMR vaccination, or immunity to measles, mumps and rubella, as part of “health clearance” before they undertake employment.
We can provide MMR for adults and children, as well as immunity testing and health clearance for healthcare professionals.
At what age should children be immunised against MMR?
The MMR vaccine is usually given to children between ages 1 and 3 years.
This is because newborn babies have antibodies passed on from their mother at birth, so vaccination during the first year of life may not result in full protection.
It is important to catch up on any missed vaccine doses. Older children or adults who are unvaccinated or who have missed out on any vaccine doses are strongly advised to complete their MMR vaccination course, which can be done at any age.
This is particularly important for those about to start university, travel abroad, planning a baby and/or are healthcare workers.
Adults born between 1970-1990 may only have received a vaccination against just measles or measles and rubella only, so a full MMR vaccination course is recommended.
How many doses of the MMR are required?
2 doses of the MMR vaccine are required for full protection.
Your nurse will explain when you require your second dose, and we will send a reminder beforehand so you don’t forget.
How effective is the vaccine?
After a full course, the MMR vaccine is highly effective in protecting against measles, mumps and rubella.
It is 99% effective against measles and rubella and 88% effective against mumps.
Those who are vaccinated and still catch mumps are more likely to develop mild symptoms and much less likely to be hospitalised.
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread via airborne droplets and secretions.
Droplets can be spread by coughing, sneezing or talking and you can become infected through breathing in infected droplets or touching a surface contaminated by droplets and then touching your face. It is roughly 6 times as contagious as Covid: on average, a single infected person can infect up to 18 others.
Symptoms of measles usually start to appear 7-14 days after you become infected, which include:
- Runny/blocked nose
- Sneezing
- High temperature
- Sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light
- Sore throat
- White spots inside the mouth
Around 14 days after exposure, a skin rash usually appears – starting on the head and then spreading to other parts of the body.
There is no specific treatment for measles and most people will recover naturally, however, sometimes it can result in serious health complications including lung infection (pneumonia) and brain infection (encephalitis) or even death.
What is mumps?
Mumps is a viral infection which primarily affects the salivary glands near your ears, either side of your face.
Mumps is spread in the same way as colds and flu, by airborne droplets or direct or indirect contact with nasal respiratory secretions. The main symptom of mumps is painful swelling of the parotid salivary glands – on the side of the face and under the ears .
Other symptoms can include:
- Feeling unwell
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- High temperature
There is no specific treatment for mumps and most people recover naturally within a week or two. Serious complications are uncommon but in some cases mumps can lead to viral meningitis, swollen testicles or ovaries, and pancreatitis.
One in three males who get mumps after puberty suffer from swollen testicles (called mumps orchitis). In some cases this can lead to reduced sperm count and male infertility.
Adults born in the decade before MMR was introduced (i.e. between 1978 and 1988) will probably not have been vaccinated as children, and are less likely than older adults to have had mumps during childhood, so many still be at risk..
What is rubella?
Rubella (also called German measles) is a viral infection that causes a red rash on the body.
Rubella is spread by contact with nasal or throat secretions from infected individuals, or via airborne droplets spread by coughs and sneezes.
The main symptom of rubella is a red or pink spotty rash that starts on the face or behind the ears and spreads to the rest of the body.
Other symptoms include:
- Feeling unwell
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Low grade fever
- Headache
- Aching joints
- Cough
- Sore, red eyes
- Runny nose/sneezing
There is no specific treatment for rubella and most people recover naturally after a week or so. Rubella is generally seen as a mild illness, though in some people, especially women, it may progress to complications including arthritis.
However, the most serious effects arise from infection during the first three months of pregnancy, when the virus infects the foetus. It can cause miscarriage or a range of birth defects, including deafness, blindness, cardiac and neurological problems.
Our Patients Speak for Us
Ziad Elmagdoub
Had a great experience at Fleet Street Clinic. I went in for my occupational health clearance and everything was smooth from start to finish. The staff were friendly and professional and the whole process was really straightforward. A special thank you to Chiara from the nursing team who handled my tests. She was not only kind and reassuring but also incredibly professional and easy to talk to. She made what could have been a stressful visit feel completely relaxed.
Nicola Mulgrew
We went to the clinic to get travel vaccines. We were on an incredibly tight schedule, only in London for the one day, and we were seen with no issues. Later, I ordered anti-malarials by email and received them the next day! Amazing service. Highly recommend.
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Excellent service, had a private Covid and Flu vaccination here arrived early and was called in by the nurse almost immediately, very pleasant surroundings and lovely stuff would use again worth £125 to get protected as not eligible for free vaccinations.
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FAQs
Yes, we provide all childhood vaccines and are happy to help. We are a private clinic, and not part of the NHS.
Your child’s vaccination history is recorded in a red book. Please bring this with you when they attend for vaccination so that we can keep their vaccination records accurate and up to date.
If you forget to bring it we can always update it subsequently.
No. Anxiety about a link between autism and the MMR vaccine dates back to a medical paper published in the Lancet in 1998, but the paper was retracted and the doctor who wrote it was struck off the medical register. Extensive research, and decades of experience involving hundreds of millions of doses administered worldwide, confirm that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Anyone who missed out on vaccination on account of anxiety about this possibility should have their protection updated.
The MMR vaccine contains live, weakened strains of measles, mumps and rubella virus. The immune system responds to the vaccine by producing antibodies that inactivate any potential future infection.
Most side effects are mild and short-lasting. The most common side effect is redness, soreness or swelling around the injection site. Babies and young children may develop a high temperature.
Although no harmful effects have been found when the vaccine has been used during pregnancy inadvertently, MMR vaccine (like other live vaccines) should not be given during pregnancy. Pregnancy should be avoided for one month following vaccination. As with other live vaccines, anyone who is immunocompromised should seek guidance from their doctor prior to vaccination.
MMR vaccine is a routine part of the NHS childhood immunisation programme. We are happy to provide MMR and any other childhood vaccine privately if required. MMR vaccine is not normally provided by the NHS for occupational or other reasons.
Most vaccines take about 2 weeks to reach full effectiveness, though some benefit is achieved almost immediately. Full protection is not achieved until the course is completed.
Once the full 2-dose vaccination course is completed, no further booster vaccinations are required, and you are deemed to have lifelong immunity. For those requiring proof of immunity for work-purposes, without proof of vaccination, it may be suitable to offer a single vaccination to those who are certain they have had the full course.
No, not if they have previously received both doses of MMR vaccine.
Yes, a simple antibody test is available. If negative, or if immunity is reduced, you can then have a further dose of MMR vaccine.
