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Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect against serious illnesses.
Measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (also known as varicella) spread very easily between people who haven’t been vaccinated. These diseases are usually mild but can sometimes cause serious health problems.
Vaccination is important.
For those who have not had a vaccine containing MMR, these diseases remain a threat to their health.
It is important to get vaccinated to stop these diseases.
There are two options for protection:
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The MMRV vaccine helps protect against:
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The MMR vaccine helps protect against:
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Measles is caused by a virus. It can spread easily through the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus. Measles can lead to serious illness. It can sometimes be very dangerous, and people can die from it.
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases. Even a small drop in the number of people getting the vaccine can lead to an increase in measles cases. In recent years there has been a rise in measles cases in Wales. It’s important to have both doses of a measles-containing vaccine to help prevent further outbreaks.
Nearly everyone who catches measles will have a rash, a high temperature (fever) and feel very unwell. One in every 15 people gets complications, including infection of the lungs (pneumonia) and brain swelling (encephalitis).
A rash usually appears a few days after cold-like symptoms. Small white spots in the mouth may also appear. People can be infectious for a few days before and after the rash appears.
Mumps is a viral infection that spreads easily. Mumps can lead to serious problems such as meningitis (an infection of the protective covering around the brain) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Very rarely, mumps can cause death.
Mumps is spread through infected droplets of saliva that can be inhaled or picked up from surfaces and transferred into the mouth or nose.
Some people with mumps do not show any symptoms, but they can still spread the disease to others. Common symptoms of mumps include painful swelling of two large glands on the side of the face, and a fever.
Rubella (also known as German measles) is a rare illness caused by a virus. It is spread through coughs and sneezes.
Symptoms can take two to three weeks to develop. People can pass the disease to others before they even know they have it. The main symptom of rubella is a spotty rash that starts on the face or behind the ears and spreads to the neck and body. Other symptoms include swollen glands and a high temperature (fever).
Catching rubella while pregnant can be very serious for the unborn baby. It can seriously damage their sight, hearing, heart, and brain. This condition is called congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).
Chickenpox (also known as varicella zoster virus) spreads very easily. It is very common in the UK, and mostly affects children, but anyone can catch it. If someone hasn’t had chickenpox before, there is a high risk (up to 90%) they will catch chickenpox if they are near someone who is infected.
For most children, chickenpox is a mild illness that gets better without medical treatment, but for some people it can be very serious. The risk of serious illness from chickenpox, is much higher than people realise. Some people may need to be treated in hospital if they get problems from the infection.
Symptoms of chickenpox are usually worse in adults, particularly pregnant women. These individuals are more likely to develop health issues.
Infection from chickenpox can lead to serious illnesses, such as severe bacterial infections of the skin, lung problems (such as pneumonia), fits (seizures), swelling in the brain (encephalitis), or stroke in children.
Once you’ve had chickenpox, it is unlikely you’ll get it again. However, the virus can stay in your nerves and can cause shingles when you are older.
Symptoms of chickenpox include a rash of red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters.
The blisters then crust over to form scabs, which eventually drop off.
Before the rash appears, you or your child may have some mild flu-like symptoms.
The MMRV vaccine is offered free of charge by the NHS as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme.
Babies aged 12 months or younger on 1st January 2026 are offered the MMRV vaccine as part of their routine vaccinations:
The first dose is offered at 12 months old.
The second dose is offered at 18 months old. The 18-month visit is a new vaccination appointment.
It’s important to have two doses of an MMR-containing vaccine for the best possible protection. Having both doses gives long lasting protection against infection.
Some older children may be offered an MMRV vaccination as part of the chickenpox catch-up programme. Eligibility depends on their age, and whether they have had chickenpox infection or two doses of chickenpox (varicella) in the past.
The MMRV vaccine has been used for many years in other countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In other countries, giving the MMRV vaccine has led to a big drop in cases of chickenpox in children.
For more information about the immunisation schedule in Wales and when your child will be offered their vaccinations, visit:
Changes to the childhood immunisation schedule
Routine immunisation schedules for Wales
From January 2026, the MMR vaccine is no longer part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme.
However, the MMR vaccine is still available for older children and adults who have not had two doses of an MMR-containing vaccine and are not eligible for MMRV.
If you have not had two doses of an MMR-containing vaccine, you are at risk of catching the diseases the vaccine helps protect against. Even if you think you have had MMR-containing vaccinations before but aren’t sure or have no record of this, it is safe to have further doses.
You can catch up with missed MMR doses at any age. Contact your GP surgery as soon as possible to catch up on any missed MMR vaccinations.
For more information about the MMR vaccine see the About the vaccines section.
For most routine vaccinations, your local health board will send you a letter when your child becomes eligible. Your child will then be invited to receive their vaccine at their GP surgery, or other vaccination setting. Before the appointment: Let your doctor or practice nurse know if your child has recently had any other vaccines.
NHS Wales recommends vaccinating your child as soon as they are offered. If you think your child may have missed the invitation or appointment, contact your GP surgery.
To view the routine immunisation schedules for Wales, visit:
Routine immunisation schedules for Wales
Vaccination details are available in your child’s Red Book.
Your local Health Board website will also have further details on how to find out your child’s vaccination status and how to book a vaccination if needed.
Links to health boards MMR information pages are below:
Blaenau Gwent
Caerphilly
Monmouthshire
Newport
Torfaen
Anglesey
Gwynedd
Conwy
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Wrexham
Cardiff
Vale of Glamorgan
Cwm Taf Morgannwg
Bridgend
Merthyr Tydfil
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Hywel Dda
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Pembrokeshire
Powys
Swansea
Neath Port Talbot
MMR-containing vaccines are usually given as one injection into the thigh or upper arm. It is important to have two doses of an MMR-containing vaccine for the best possible protection. Having both doses gives long lasting protection against infection.
After the first dose the body’s immune system learns to recognise the viruses and start building protection. The second dose boosts that protection, making it much stronger and long-lasting.
That's why getting two doses is important to keep you and those you care about safe.
MMR-containing vaccines are very effective at protecting people from measles. People who have two doses of the vaccine are protected for life. For example, figures in Wales show that more than 99% of people who get both doses of the MMR vaccine are protected from measles and rubella, and about 88% are protected from mumps.
If you would like to learn more about these vaccines, you can read these patient leaflets at the links below.
MMRV has been used for many years in other countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. In other countries, giving the MMRV vaccine led to a drop in cases of chickenpox in children.
Since the chickenpox vaccination programme was introduced in 1995, chickenpox vaccinations in the United States reduced cases by 97%
The MMRV vaccines given in the UK are called ProQuad® and Priorix-Tetra®.
Since MMR was introduced in 1988, measles, mumps and rubella have become rare in the UK. But sometimes outbreaks happen, especially of measles, when not enough people get vaccinated.
The MMR vaccines given in the UK are called MMRVaxPro® and Priorix®.
Rubella can be a very serious infection for unborn babies. If you had two doses of the MMR-containing vaccine you will be protected during your pregnancy.
If you are planning on becoming pregnant, are pregnant, or have just had a baby and are not sure if you’ve had two doses of the MMR-containing vaccine, speak to your midwife or GP.
As the MMR vaccine is a live vaccine, it is not advised when you are pregnant. You should avoid getting pregnant for one month after having MMR vaccination.
If you are pregnant and not up to date with the MMR vaccine, you should have the vaccine soon after your baby is born.
Having the MMR vaccine when you are breastfeeding will not harm you or your baby. However, if you are breastfeeding and have any questions, you can ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice before you have the vaccination.
If you have moved to live in the UK, you may need two doses of an MMR-containing vaccine and other routine vaccinations. Different countries offer different vaccinations, and not all may have used the combined MMR vaccine.
If you are travelling to an area that is known to have had outbreaks of measles, mumps or rubella, you should have two doses of an MMR-containing vaccine before you travel. Your child may be able to be vaccinated earlier than normal if they are travelling to high-risk areas.
If you have any questions, or you are not sure if you have had your vaccinations, discuss this with your GP or nurse.
If you work in healthcare, it’s important to be protected against illnesses like measles, mumps, and rubella. These diseases can be passed on to patients who are more likely to get seriously ill. Healthcare workers may need the MMR vaccine to protect themselves and to help keep their patients safe.
MMR-containing vaccines (MMRV or MMR) should not be given to anyone who has had a serious (life-threatening) reaction to:
a previous dose of the same vaccine, or
any ingredient in the vaccine.
Speak to the person giving the vaccine if you or your child has had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients in the past.
MMR-containing vaccines should not be given to anyone who:
is pregnant,
has a weakened immune system (are immunosuppressed) due to treatment or a disease, or
has an illness with a high fever.
If you or your child is unwell with a high temperature (fever) above 38.5 C, it is better to wait until you or they have recovered to have the vaccine. If you cannot go to your vaccination appointment, please cancel and make a new appointment as soon as possible. A cold or other minor illness is not a reason to delay the vaccine.
Before having an MMR-containing vaccine, you should tell the GP or practice nurse if you or your child:
has ever had fits (also called seizures), or if anyone in your family has had them, including fits caused by a fever.
You should tell the GP or practice nurse if you are pregnant.
It is best to wait until you/your child is better to have the vaccine, but it is important to have it as soon as possible. If unable attend the vaccination appointment, please cancel and rearrange the appointment.
A cold or other minor illness is not a reason to delay having the vaccine. If in doubt, discuss this with the person giving the vaccination.
Some people don’t accept pork gelatine because of their faith. In Wales, there are options for MMRV and MMR vaccines that don’t contain pork gelatine.
The MMRV vaccines offered in Wales are called ProQuad® and Priorix-Tetra®. ProQuad® contains pork gelatine. If you do not want your child to have ProQuad®, there is another option called Priorix-Tetra® that does not contain pork gelatine.
For those who are not eligible for the MMRV vaccine, two MMR vaccines are currently available in Wales. MMRvaxPro® contains pork gelatine, and Priorix® does not contain pork gelatine.
If you or your child needs a vaccine that doesn’t contain pork gelatine, contact your health visitor, practice nurse, or GP surgery. They can help you find the right option.
You can find more information about vaccines and pork gelatine at phw.nhs.wales/PorkGelatine
The MMR-containing vaccines (MMRV and MMR) have weakened types of live viruses. All medicines and vaccines have passed strict safety standards for use in the UK and are very safe. As with all medicines and vaccines, any reports of side effects are closely monitored and reviewed.
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild and may last a day or two. Side effects are usually less common after the second dose.
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See ‘What should I do if my child or I feel unwell after the vaccination?’ for how to treat symptoms of a fever.
The weakened viruses in the MMR-containing vaccines can act at different times. Side effects such as a fever and a rash are more common after the first dose. These can occur:
About 6 – 11 days after the vaccine (from the measles part)
About 2 – 3 weeks after the vaccine (from the mumps and rubella parts)
About 3 – 4 weeks after the vaccine (from the chickenpox part)
A small chickenpox rash may appear near the injection site after the MMRV vaccine. Children can still go to school or childcare, but any spots should be covered as a precaution.
Very rarely, children may develop a widespread chickenpox-like rash. If this happens, anyone with a weakened immune system who has had close contact with the child should get medical advice.
Fits (seizures) can happen when a child develops a high temperature caused by any common childhood illness, such as chickenpox. These usually do not last long and do not cause long-term health problems. After the first dose of the MMRV vaccine, children may have a brief fit caused by a fever. This is rare and happens in around one in 1,000 children. These fits are not usually harmful but need medical attention. For comparison, around one in 43 children who catch measles will have fits caused by a fever.
Swelling in the brain (encephalitis) has been reported extremely rarely after the MMRV vaccination (less than one child in a million). However, if a child who has not been vaccinated catches measles, the chance of having encephalitis is between one in 200 and one in 5,000.
Get medical help immediately if your child has had any of the following symptoms:
Fits (seizures)
Fainting
Reduced alertness
Loss of body control, along with a fever and headache
If you seek medical help, let them know that your child has had the MMRV vaccine.
Rarely, people can have a severe reaction soon after the vaccination, which causes breathing difficulties and may cause them to collapse. This is called an anaphylactic reaction, and it can also happen with other medicines and food. These reactions are extremely rare, affecting less than one in a million people. Staff who give vaccinations are trained to manage these reactions.
People who have an anaphylactic reaction can be successfully treated and usually recover within a few hours.
For most people, the benefits of getting vaccinated are much greater than the risks of being unprotected.
All side effects are included in the patient information leaflet for the vaccine. For more information on side effects, go to:
MMRV vaccine
MMR vaccine
If you have any questions about side effects, you can ask the person giving you the vaccine.
If symptoms get worse or if you are concerned, Trust your instincts – get medical help immediately. Call NHS 111 Wales on 111 or your GP surgery. Calls to NHS 111 Wales are free from landlines and mobile phones.
You should report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines online at mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard (external site), by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Your GP or nurse will explain about the vaccination and answer any questions you have.
The vaccine is usually given as an injection into the thigh of young children or the upper arm of older children and adults.
Write down any questions you have and ask the health professional at the vaccination appointment.
You should cancel an appointment beforehand if you can’t make it. If you do miss the appointment or have to delay the vaccination, make a new appointment as soon as possible.
If you or your child has missed any MMR-containing vaccinations, it’s important to catch up as soon as possible. Talk to your GP or practice nurse.
If you or your child has a fever and feels unwell after the vaccination, you can take paracetamol. You should:
read the instructions carefully, and
take the correct dose for your or your child’s age.
We don’t recommend taking paracetamol before the vaccination to prevent a fever.
Remember – children under 16 should not take medicines that contain aspirin.
If you have any concerns about yourself or your child after the vaccination, contact your health visitor, GP, or practice nurse for advice and support.
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness from measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. No vaccine is 100% effective, so it is still important to know the signs and symptoms of these diseases, even if you or your child are vaccinated. For more information about measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, visit one of the following websites.
NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Measles (external site)
NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Mumps (external site)
NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Rubella (German measles) (external site)
Chickenpox - Questions and Answers (World Health Organization) (external site)
NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Chickenpox (external site) (external site)
You should not worry about this. There is no evidence of a link between MMR-containing vaccines and autism.
The National Autistic Society says “there is no link between autism and vaccines”. There are many studies that have investigated this. The University of Oxford Vaccine Knowledge (external site) has a website of MMR studies for you to look at.
**Frequently asked questions - Currently being updated**