If you’re already pregnant and don’t have any record of being vaccinated, you can get it soon after your baby is born. It’s not recommended that you have the MMR vaccine when you’re pregnant.
You will be offered a routine screening for rubella during pregnancy.
All three diseases can be very serious, especially for people with a weakened immune system (those who can’t fight infection very well) or women who are pregnant.
By vaccinating yourself against these serious diseases, you will also reduce the risk of passing infections to others, including your new baby, who will not receive their MMR vaccine until after their first birthday.
The MMR vaccine for adults is the same as that for children. Young children have the vaccination as a single injection into their thigh, older children and adults have it in their upper arm.
Having the MMR vaccine will protect you in any future pregnancies. You will need to have two doses for full protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
It’s never too late to have your MMR vaccine
If you haven’t been vaccinated before, you will need two doses of the MMR. Ask your practice nurse to give you the first vaccine at your ‘6 week check’ at the surgery – or before. You will need a second dose one month later.
You will need to be using a reliable form of contraception as you need to avoid becoming pregnant for one month after the vaccinations.