MMR

Question 1

At what ages do children get the MMR vaccine? (2)

Answer 1

1. 1 year

2. 3 years and 4 months

Question 2

A child presents for their pre-school booster dose of the MMR vaccine but did not receive the first dose. The child is given an initial dose, how many months after should they receive a second dose?

Answer 2

3 months

Children presenting for pre-school booster who have not received the first dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, live should be given a dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, live followed 3 months later by a second dose.

Question 3

An individual at school-leaving age did not receive the two doses of the MMR vaccine as a child. The individual would now like to be immunised. How many months after the first dose should they receive the second dose?

Answer 3

1 month

Question 4

An individual at school-leaving age only received one dose of the MMR vaccine as a child. The individual would like to be fully immunised against MMR. What is the next step?

Answer 4

They should receive one more dose now

In those who have received only a single dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, live in childhood, a second dose is recommended to achieve full protection.

Question 5

Can the MMR vaccine be given to pregnant women?

Answer 5

NO

Vaccination should be given a few days after delivery

Question 6

A pregnant woman is not immunised against measles, mumps and rubella. When should they be given an MMR vaccine?

Answer 6

A few days after delivery

Vaccination a few days after delivery is important because about 60% of congenital abnormalities from rubella infection occur in babies of women who have borne more than one child.

Question 7

Within how many days after exposure to measles should susceptible children aged over 6 months be given the MMR vaccine?

Answer 7

3 days

Question 8

Can the MMR vaccine be used for prophylaxis following exposure to measles?

Answer 8

Yes

Should be given within 3 days of exposure to susceptible children aged over 6 months

Question 9

Can the MMR vaccine be used for prophylaxis following exposure to mumps or rubella?

Answer 9

NO

The antibody response to the mumps and rubella components is too slow for effective prophylaxis

Question 10

If a child under 9 months with a history of recent severe illness is exposed to measles, what can be given to the child for prophylaxis?

Answer 10

Normal immunoglobulin

MMR vaccine should be given after at least 3 months at the appropriate age

Question 11

Can children and adults with impaired immune response be given the MMR vaccine?

Answer 11

NO

Question 12

What should be given to children and adults with an impaired immune response if they are exposed to measles?

Answer 12

Normal immunoglobulin

Question 13

Name two circumstances when a child will be given a dose of the MMR vaccine between the ages of 6 months to before their first birth?

Answer 13

1. Contacts of a measles case
2. Travel to an area where measles is endemic or epidemic

First dose of the MMR vaccine is normally given on or after the 1st birthday

Question 14

The MMR vaccine is a (?) vaccine

Answer 14

live

Question 15

If a contact of a measles case is given immunoglobulin as prophylaxis, how long after immunoglobulin administration can they be given the MMR vaccine?

Answer 15

At least 3 months after

Antibody response to measles component may be reduced after immunoglobulin administration or blood transfusion–leave an interval of at least 3 months before MMR immunisation

Question 16

If a patient is given a blood transfusion, how long after the transfusion can then be given a dose of the MMR vaccine?

Answer 16

At least 3 months after

Antibody response to measles component may be reduced after immunoglobulin administration or blood transfusion–leave an interval of at least 3 months before MMR immunisation

Question 17

Which two vaccines cannot be given on the same day as the MMR vaccine?

Answer 17

1. Yellow fever vaccine
2. Varicella zoster vaccine

They should be separated by a 4-week minimum interval

Question 18

How long after the first dose of the MMR vaccine do patients experience malaise, fever or a rash?

Answer 18

About a week after vaccination
Lasting about 2-3 days

Malaise, fever, or a rash can occur after the first dose of MMR vaccine–most commonly about a week after vaccination and lasting about 2 to 3 days.

Question 19

How many days after the MMR vaccine may children experience the rare side-effect of a febrile seizure?

Answer 19

6-11 days

Febrile seizures occur rarely 6 to 11 days after MMR vaccination (the incidence is lower than that following measles infection).

Question 20

Which haematological adverse effect rarely occurs within 6 weeks of the first dose of the MMR vaccine?

Answer 20

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

The risk is much less than the risk after infection with wild measles or rubella virus

Question 21

If a child develops idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura within 6 weeks of the first dose of the MMR vaccine, should they receive the second dose?

Answer 21

Yes BUT only if serological testing before the second dose suggests incomplete immunity against measles, mumps or rubella

Question 22

If a child develops idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura within 6 weeks of the first dose of the MMR vaccine, what investigation should be done to determine if they should or should not receive the second dose?

Answer 22

Serological testing - to see if they have complete or incomplete immunity against measles, mumps or rubella

Children who develop idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura within 6 weeks of the first dose of MMR should undergo serological testing before the second dose is due; if the results suggest incomplete immunity against measles, mumps or rubella then a second dose of MMR is recommended.

Question 23

Can children who have had an anaphylactic reaction to food containing egg be given the MMR vaccine?

Answer 23

YES

PHE advises MMR vaccine can be given safely even when the child has had an anaphylactic reaction to food containing egg.