MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Click here to complete an e-form —> MMR Vaccination Form
Please use the unique code provided by us/your child’s school. If you experience any problems accessing the form, contact your local immunisation team and they will be happy to help.
Please check your child’s red book, contact your GP or the School Age Immunisation Service (SAIS) to ensure your child is fully protected. Two doses of the combined MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine) are required after the age of 12 months of age.
The school age immunisation teams offer the MMR vaccine to school age children that are missing any doses, in school and/or within community clinics.
Appointments for missing doses are also available from your GP.
What is measles?
- Measles is a very infectious viral illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes. If you are not protected and have even passing contact with someone who has measles, the chances are that you will be infected too.
- Measles is currently circulating worldwide; it is a highly infectious viral illness. Measles, Mumps and Rubella are viral infections that can quickly spread to unprotected children and adults – they spread more easily than flu, COVID-19 or the common cold.
- Measles outbreaks have been reported in some UK cities over the past few months which has resulted in children becoming very unwell requiring hospitalisation.
- Uptake of the MMR vaccine has reduced recently. This has in part been due to the pandemic and parents not being about to access their GP surgery. As a result of this, unless more children are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, we are expecting to see an increase in cases of measles over the next few months.
- There is no treatment or cure for measles. Symptoms include fever, sore red eyes, and rash. Complications are more likely to occur in certain groups including people with weakened immune systems, babies under one year old and pregnant women. Complications can include chest and ear infections, fits, diarrhoea, encephalitis (infection of the brain) and brain damage.
What is mumps?
- Mumps is a viral illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes or close contact with someone who already has the infection. Symptoms usually last around two weeks and can include headache and fever but the most common symptom is swelling of the glands at the side of the face.
- There is currently no medication to cure mumps so treatment is focused on relieving symptoms. Complications can be very painful and can include inflammation of the ovaries or testicles, and in rarer cases, the pancreas. Mumps can also cause viral meningitis and encephalitis (infection of the brain). Although permanent hearing loss after mumps is rare, around one in 20 people infected may have temporary hearing loss.
What is rubella (German Measles)?
- Rubella is a viral illness that is now rare in the UK. It is spread in a similar way to mumps and measles. For most people, it is usually a mild condition that gets better in 7 to 10 days without treatment. However, if pregnant women develop rubella it can be very serious for their unborn baby. Symptoms include a rash, cold-like symptoms, and aching joints.
The vaccine
- The MMR vaccine gives long lasting protection with just two doses of the vaccine. It is a single injection that is administered into the thigh of young children or the upper arm of older children or adults. The first dose is usually given at the age of 12 months and the second dose around three years and four months, before starting school.
- It is never too late to have the vaccine if you have missed one dose, had single vaccines, or never had any at all.
Further information about the MMR Vaccination:
- Vaccine knowledge University of Oxford (includes google translate option)
- MEASLES – Don’t let your child catch it
- MMR vaccination
- The brand name for the MMR vaccination is PRIORIX. Patient Information Leaflet (PIL)
- The brand name for the DTaP/IPV vaccine is Boostrix IPV. Patient Information Leaflet (PIL)
