Measles vaccine (MMR stands for Measles/Mumps/Rubella as all 3 are in the same vaccine)
Measles is a serious viral disease that can make people very sick. It spreads very easily among people who have not had measles before or have not been vaccinated against measles.
Measles | Healthify
Measles Fact Sheet
MMR vaccine – 2 doses recommended unless born before 1969 in NZ when most people had measles & therefore immunity (some adults born overseas before 1969 may be susceptible)
Who to vaccinate:
Children: at ages 12 months and 15 months of age as per vaccine schedule.
Adults: Anyone born in New Zealand after January 1, 1969, who has not had two documented doses of MMR or a confirmed case of measles needs the vaccine. If you can’t find your records or are unsure of your status, it is safe to get vaccinated again.
If you are uncertain our nurses can check the NZ immunisation register but this only started recording from 2005 so vaccines prior to this that are not in your computer records (GP computerisation took off in early to mid- 1990s) may be in your Plunket book if you have it!
Recommended Funded vaccine indications and schedule
– Children at ages 12 months and 15 months.
– Adults who are susceptible to one or more of measles, mumps and rubella.
This includes all adults born in New Zealand from 1 January 1969 without two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine received after age 12 months.
For (re)vaccination following immunosuppression (if the individual is immunocompetent enough to safely receive the vaccine).
Also recommended
Vaccination is particularly important for health care workers, individuals who work with children, armed forces personnel, staff of correctional facilities, long-term care facilities and immigration/refugee centres and laboratory staff.
All vaccine-eligible travellers, particularly to high-risk countries.
Some adults born overseas before 1969 may also be susceptible to measles, mumps or rubella.
The MMR vaccine is a live vaccine and is not suitable for everyone, such as:
– Pregnant women (and those planning pregnancy should wait 4 weeks after vaccination).
– People with a severely weakened immune system (e.g. those undergoing cancer treatment).