My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Has anyone had the MMR as an adult? Do I want/need it?

19 replies

clemette · 15/09/2009 12:43

(Just to start by saying I am pro-vaccinations for my children and both have had the MMR).
I am too old to have had the MMR jab as a child but I had mumps and rubella. Today I started medical school and had to have a hepatitis B vaccination. Whilst I as there they tried to convince me I needed to MMR as well. Now my blood tests confirm I am immune to rubella and, as pro-vaccination as I am, I don't think we should have unnecessary vaccinations.
So I was wondering if anyone had any experience of having the MMr as an adult. Did you have any side effects and what swayed your decision?
Thanks.

OP posts:
Report
AMumInScotland · 15/09/2009 12:52

I guess the argument for having it would be that, as a doctor, you'll be in contact both with people who are infectious with mumps or measles, and also people who are in frail health (or pregnant) and therefore vulnerable to these diseases. So, I don't think they're suggesting it for your good, but for your patients.

Report
ramonaquimby · 15/09/2009 12:54

yes I had to have one prior to leaving the hospital after my 3rd child was born. blood tests showed that my immunity had decreased so as to not be immune at all. this was 3 years ago todaoy!

had no problem with it - in having it, or side effects afterwards.

Report
brokenrecord · 15/09/2009 13:12

I was wondering about this when mumps became prevalent again in teenagers. I have never had mumps, and wonder if i should have the MMR. (I caught measles aged 30 and was very ill with it, so would hate to get mumps even later in life.

Report
whatiseatingmybook · 15/09/2009 13:18

Occupational health advised me to have it as I will be working in a hospital. I have never had it before but had actual mumps when I was young. I had a mild fever a week after it which only lasted one day so wouldn't put me off having it to be honest. If I were you i'd have it.

Report
stubbyfingers · 15/09/2009 13:21

I'm in a similar situation - too old to have had MMR but I did have rubella vaccination as a teenager. I'm starting uni next week and it is a requirement for my particular course. I think the thing that sways it for me is the herd immunity thing, ie, I may be strong enough to fight off these illnesses, but the vulnerable people I will be coming into contact with during my training may not be.

My appointment with the nurse is this Thursday.

Report
bidibidi · 15/09/2009 13:41

I had either single measles or MMR as an adult, I wasn't allowed to register for University classes without it. No problems with it.

Report
ShowOfHands · 15/09/2009 13:47

I was 'strongly advised' to have it when starting to work at a university. I had it with no problems at the time or afterwards.

Report
clemette · 15/09/2009 13:50

Thank you. I forgot to say I was vaccinated against measles as a child so technically should be immune to each and therefore not a danger to anyone.
I think my reluctance is because both of my children reacted quite strongly to their MMR and were off coulour for six weeks each.
Thanks for the input - off to ponder the swine flu jab now!

OP posts:
Report
wilbur · 15/09/2009 13:52

I had MMR as an adult (in my mid-20s) as I have had my spleen removed and have not had measles or mumps. I was vaccinated for rubella at puberty like everyone else my great age . No problems with jab and since measles would be bad news for me, I am hoping the damn thing has worked as I keep coming across kids who have recenly had measles.

Agree with you re unnecessary vacs, but as a doctor you are bound to come up against measles at some point and even for a healthy adult, it can be pretty ghastly, I think.

Report
wilbur · 15/09/2009 13:53

Can you not request an antibody test to see if your previous measles vacc is still in effect?

Report
brokenrecord · 15/09/2009 13:54

"even for a healthy adult, it can be pretty ghastly, I think. "

Second that!

Report
clemette · 15/09/2009 14:13

I think I will ask for that wilbur.
Thanks again everyone.

OP posts:
Report
CommonNortherner · 15/09/2009 14:39

I had to have one to emigrate to the US despite having had all three illnesses as a child as well as having the rubella vaccination at 11. I had no side effects whatsoever for me.

Report
CommonNortherner · 15/09/2009 14:39

That'll teach me to get distracted mid-sentence!

Report
ThingOne · 15/09/2009 18:49

I had MMR as an adult and I did feel ropey for quite a while. I think I was quite unfortunate. There weren't any long lasting effects. I had had mumps as a child, had the measles vaccine (but back when it was the newest thing out!) but needed rubella before getting pregnant again.

Report
ministryofsleep · 15/09/2009 18:58

I just had the MMR 3 weeks ago - absolutely no side effects or after effects HTH

Report
ministryofsleep · 15/09/2009 18:58

I am 31 BTW

Report
sockadoodledo · 15/09/2009 19:05

DD had it at 20 when her friends started coming down with mumps, she'd had hers as a baby but fell through the cracks somewhere with her booster. No side effects or anything.

Report
clemette · 15/09/2009 23:17

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.