The MMR vaccine is a safe and highly effective combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
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The MMR vaccine is the safest, most effective way to help protect against measles, mumps and rubella (also known as German measles). Since it was introduced in 1988, these diseases have become rare in the UK. But sometimes outbreaks happen (especially measles outbreaks), when not enough people get vaccinated.
Measles, mumps and rubella are diseases which spread easily between people who haven’t had the vaccine. These diseases are usually mild, but can sometimes cause serious problems, including:
Rubella (German measles) can lead to serious problems in pregnancy. If a pregnant woman gets rubella it can harm her unborn baby and might cause a miscarriage.
Some people can even die from measles, mumps and rubella. In the past, about one in 5000 people who caught measles died from the disease.
Getting vaccinated is important.
Even a small drop in the number of people having the MMR vaccination can lead to more cases of measles. Because people are travelling more now, there is a higher chance of measles coming back from other countries, where it is common.
Getting two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect you and your child from measles, mumps and rubella.