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 a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).
Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious diseases that can easily spread between people who are not vaccinated. Although these diseases are usually mild and don’t often cause long-term effects, some people can get serious complications. These complications can include meningitis (external link), encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and hearing loss. Rubella (German measles) can lead to complications in pregnancy that affect the unborn baby and can cause miscarriage. People can die from these diseases. In the past, about one in 5000 people who caught measles died from the disease.
Getting vaccinated is important.
The number of people in Wales having the MMR vaccine has dropped since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that children who have not been vaccinated, or are only partially vaccinated, are unprotected. This increases the risk of measles outbreaks happening in nurseries or schools.
Even a small drop in the number of people having the MMR vaccination can lead to an increase in measles cases. As there is more international travel since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, there is a higher chance of measles being brought back from countries where it is common.
Having two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect you and your child from measles, mumps and rubella.
You can find more information on the vaccine and diseases at NHS 111 Wales - Vaccinations (external link)