MMR vaccines for adults? Any my GP surgery are being weird.

[Icelandholiday]

When I last saw my GP earlier this year, I had to pick up some paperwork and there was a post-it note on it, saying I should book an MMR vaccine. I'm 40 years old and had all the usual vaccinations as a child, so I assumed it was a mistake and thought nothing of it.

This morning, a bloke working at my GP surgery phoned me and absolutely DEMANDED that I should come in TODAY, this afternoon for an MMR vaccine. I explained I thought it must be a mistake, but he insisted. I said I'd had all the usual vaccinations as a child. He said there were no records of me having a second MMR as a teenager (I'm sure they were separate vaccines then anyway rather than MMR?), and demanded that I should get hold of paperwork (from about 1994! Why would I have paperwork from then?) and that I should send it in to them as proof. He said that if I didn't have the records, I should get them from my previous GP. I have been with the same GP surgery my entire life, my mum was already registered there when I was born, so they should have all my records. And I can't prove anything, but I'm very sure I had all the usual vaccinations as a child and in my early teens. My parents are not anti-vaxxers. Several of my childhood memories include going to various clinics for vaccinations, and a couple of them at school.

I phoned back this afternoon and spoke to one of the usual receptionists and she said that apparently some patients aged 40-50 are being recommended to have an MMR vaccine, mainly patients with medical conditions or long-term medications, which does apply to be me to be fair.

What is going on? Why did this bloke phone me this morning in such an insistent manner?

It’s well worth having an MMR if it’s being suggested by your GP, regardless of the single vaccines you’ve already had. I think it’s great your GP practice is being so thorough. Take the opportunity.

Sure, I'll certainly take up the offer, just that it was phrased like a demand rather than an offer. Now that I know, I can see why it's a good idea, just don't understand why they needed me TODAY, RIGHT NOW.

For those born before 1970- they're presumed to have had the illnesses as children. Don't worry too much about them unless for travel!
For those born after 1988- they should have had 2 doses of mmr.
FOr those in between they would have had what was on the schedule at the time, but unlikely to be two doses of mmr, usually one mmr, and one measles/rubella.
Single doses of vaccines don't count.
Guidelines advise that anyone born after 1970 that hasn't had two doses of mmr should be offered them (or one to complete the course). Not suitable for everyone as it's a live vaccine. Surgeries get paid for giving them.
Even if you've had the illnesses as a child or had mmr vaccines that arent documented it doesn't matter. You can't over vaccinate.
Practice nurse.

@Icelandholiday

Sure, I'll certainly take up the offer, just that it was phrased like a demand rather than an offer. Now that I know, I can see why it's a good idea, just don't understand why they needed me TODAY, RIGHT NOW.

I wonder if it’s to do with hitting a vaccination target?

Could be target related. We’ve just had a stats breakdown for things like this from the CCG. It’s not something our surgery is actively targeting at the minute because we’re on the bones of our arse staff wise and just trying to do the core work.