MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against 3 separate illnesses – measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) – in a single injection. The full course of MMR vaccination requires 2 doses.

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious conditions that can have serious, potentially fatal complications, including meningitis, swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and deafness.

They can also lead to complications in pregnancy that affect the unborn baby, and can lead to miscarriage.

Since the MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988, it’s rare for children in the UK to develop these serious conditions.

But outbreaks happen and there have been cases of measles in recent years, so it’s important to make sure that you and your children are up-to-date with the MMR vaccination.

Mumps outbreaks are common, especially in teenagers and young people.

The disease can be very serious. Complications can include swelling of the ovaries and testicles, infertility, meningitis and deafness.

The best protection against mumps is the MMR vaccine. The mumps vaccine is one of the components of the MMR vaccine, which protects against mumps, measles and rubella.

The attached NHS leaflet tells you about MMR vaccination.

MMR for Older Children

Children up to the age of 18 who missed, or only partially completed, their earlier MMR vaccination can have a “catch-up” MMR vaccination on the NHS.

If you know or suspect your child has not been fully immunised, arrange an appointment with your practice nurse for them to have a catch-up MMR vaccination by contacting the practice reception.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are offered as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. If you have not had any or both doses of the MMR vaccine, whatever age you are, make an appointment with the practice nurse at Linden Medical Centre to have the vaccine.

Taken from NHS website July 2019