Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious diseases. Measles virus causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring), brain damage, and death. Mumps virus causes fever, headache, and swollen glands, It can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and, rarely, death. Rubella virus causes rash, mild fever, and arthritis (mostly in women). If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can prevent these diseases. Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine, the first at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years of age. These are the recommended ages, but children can get the second dose at any age, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

Some adults should also get MMR vaccine. Generally, anyone 18 years of age or older, who was born after 1956, should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine, unless they can show that they have had either the vaccines or the diseases. Contact the pharmacy to arrange for your immunization.

Reference: CDC