MMR Vaccine—Postpartum
What is the MMR Vaccine and what does it do?
It is a vaccine given subcutaneously, usually in the fatty tissue in the back of the arm. It is meant to protect teens
and adults from measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella (German measles). It allows the body to produce enough
antibodies to provide a defense against these three diseases. The vaccine does not cause any of these diseases.
 Measles (rubeola)—Causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, fever, pneumonia and encephalitis.
 Mumps—Causes fever, headache, and swollen glands; Can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the
brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and rarely, death.
 Rubella (German measles)—Causes rash, mild fever, and arthritis (mostly in women); If a woman gets
rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious
birth defects.
Why am I being offered MMR Vaccine during my postpartum period?
The risk for congenital rubella syndrome in the fetus is increased when a pregnant mother is exposed to rubella.
It is important to immunize the postpartum patient who is nonimmune to rubella in order to decrease unnecessary
perinatal transmission.
 The period of greatest risk for the harmful effects of rubella on the fetus is during the first trimester. If a pregnant
woman is infected, her baby may contract congenital rubella from her, which can cause significant congenital
defects. The best therapy for rubella is prevention. During prenatal screening, labwork is usually drawn to check the
immunity status for rubella. If the results indicate that the rubella status is nonimmune or equivocal, then the MMR
Vaccine will be offered to the patient in her postpartum period (including women who are breastfeeding) to hopefully
protect her and her fetus during future pregnancies. Breastfeeding does not interfere with the response to MMR
Vaccine. Vaccination of a woman who is breastfeeding is believed to pose no risk to the infant being breastfed.
What are the most common possible side effects of the MMR Vaccine?
 Mild Problems: Fever, mild rash, redness or soreness at the injection site, swelling of the glands in the cheeks or
neck (rare).
 Moderate Problems: Seizure caused by fever, temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, mostly in teenage or adult
women, temporary low platelet count, which can cause a bleeding disorder (rare).
 Severe Problems (Very Rare): Serious allergic reaction, several other severe problems—deafness, long-term
seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness, permanent brain damage (rare and experts cannot be sure whether they are
caused by the vaccine or not).
 If any unusual conditions, such as a high fever, weakness, behavior changes, difficulty breathing, hoarseness,
wheezing, hives, paleness, fast heart beat, or dizziness occur, call your doctor. Other effects are possible. Please
consult your doctor.
Who should NOT receive the MMR Vaccine?
 People who have had allergic reactions to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, to any part of the vaccine, or to a previous
dose of MMR Vaccine should NOT get the MMR Vaccine.
 Anyone who is moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover
before getting the MMR Vaccine.
 Pregnant women should wait to get the MMR Vaccine until after they have given birth. Women
should avoid getting pregnant for 3 months after getting the MMR Vaccine.
 Some people should check with their doctor about whether they should get the MMR Vaccine, including anyone
who:
 Has HIV/AIDS, or another disease that affects the immune system
 Is being treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for 2 weeks or longer.
 Has any kind of cancer.
 Is taking cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
 Has ever had a low platelet count (a blood disorder)
 People who recently had a transfusion or were given other blood products should ask their doctor when they may
get the MMR Vaccine.
For CDC’s complete recommendations, please go to following web address: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/Pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mmr.pdf
Hale, T.W. (2006). Medications and Mothers’ Milk: A Manual of Lactational Pharmacology. Amarillo, Texas: Hale Publishing.