Measles Myths & Facts

How effective is the MMR vaccine?

The MMR vaccine gives lifelong protection against Measles, Mumps and Rubella. The vaccine shows lifelong protection rates of up to 99% for Measles and Rubella, while around 88% will be protected against Mumps. People who are vaccinated against Mumps, but still catch it, are less likely to have serious complications or be admitted to hospitals. Protection starts to develop around two weeks after having the first dose of the MMR vaccine but requires both doses to reach full protection.

How safe is the MMR vaccine and is there a link to autism?

The MMR vaccine has been part of the UK routine immunisation programme since 1988 with its safety consistently monitored since and there have been no links identified with serious unwanted effects. Furthermore, the Cochrane review compiling evidence from 87 studies assessing unwanted vaccine effects, did not find any evidence linking the MMR vaccine to autism, encephalitis or any other suspected effects.

Is it safe to be given protection against three viruses at the same time?

The MMR vaccine has been given as three vaccines for a long time across the world and has an excellent safety record globally. Having the vaccines one by one creates a risk by delaying the protective effects of the vaccines.

I have concerns about the use of pork products in the MMR vaccine, what are my alternatives?

Many vaccines, including some preparations of the MMR vaccine use porcine gelatine as a stabiliser to ensure the vaccine remains effective after storage. The UK routine immunisation programme offers two options of vaccine product for doctors to use. If you have any concern about the use of pork derivatives, advise your GP you would like to be given the Priorix MMR Vaccine. Priorix does not contain porcine gelatine or any other pork derivatives and is equally as safe and effective.

Is it safe to have the MMR vaccine if you are allergic to egg?

Because the MMR vaccine is made using chick cells, not the egg white or yolk, it contains a very small amount of egg protein. Therefore, the potential levels of egg protein in the vaccine are so exceptionally low, they are unable to cause an allergic reaction even in severe allergies.

I am pregnant or am planning to become pregnant in the near future, can I take the MMR vaccine?

As a precaution, the MMR vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. You should also avoid becoming pregnant for 1 month after having the MMR vaccine. It's best to let your GP or midwife know if you had the MMR vaccine while you were pregnant. Evidence suggests there will be no harm to your baby, but it is better to let them know.

I am not vaccinated with the MMR vaccine and am planning to get pregnant. Are there any risks to my baby?

In the unlikely event that you are naturally infected with Rubella in the first 20 weeks of your pregnancy, your baby is also at risk of Rubella infection. Catching German measles (rubella) can be very serious. It can lead to blindness and deafness, and can even result in you losing your baby or having to consider termination of your pregnancy.

I heard Measles, Mumps and Rubella are rare diseases? Should I be vaccinated at all?

The rarity of these diseases now is actually a compliment to the effectiveness and successes of the MMR vaccine, meaning that most of us will have never seen someone with measles or be unaware of the potential serious complications. Measles can lead to hospitalisation in as many as 1 in 5 cases, and although rare can even lead to death, with 23 deaths reported in the UK since the year 2000. Mumps, although often mild and self-limiting, can also lead to severe complications such as a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or brain (encephalitis). Rubella is particularly dangerous if infecting a pregnant woman as it can cause serious illnesses in the unborn baby, such as deafness, blindness and even death. However, although effective in reducing the number of cases, neither of these three diseases has been eradicated in Europe, with recently falling vaccination rates leading to a concerning increase in potentially dangerous cases. There is an outbreak of measles in the West Midlands currently and we observed an outbreak locally in Merseyside in 2012/13, which resulted in hundreds of cases.

Mumps is only a childhood disease. Why should it matter if I am vaccinated or not as an adult?

Although historically seen more commonly in children, especially prior to the introduction of the MMR vaccine, Mumps can be contracted by any age group. Complications from Mumps are unique in men who get Mumps after puberty. This group can develop a painful swelling of the testicles (orchitis) in up to 1 in 3 males, while half of those cases develop a shrinking in testicles thereafter. In rare circumstances, this can also lead to a drop in healthy sperm count, although unlikely to go on to cause infertility.

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Last modified on 29 January 2024

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