The MMR vaccine

[Palmsun]

How is the MMR vaccine administered?

Is it one or two injections?

I had a look at my vaccination history and it looks like i got one MMR injection.

I read online there's two doses or there's a booster.

I would like to find out if it's one or two injections before I approach my GP with this information. I think maybe I might need a booster/second dose if it's given in two injections.

Yes there is a booster given but it’s quite some times later- currently in the pre school booster given at 3+ years. Just ask the gp, if you need a booster they will book you in no problem.

For adults, two vaccines a month apart (minimum). Anyone without two documented doses can request them (unless immunosuppressed or pregnant, it's a live vaccine), or a booster dose if only ever had one.
No upper age limit.
Practice nurse.

Anyone without two documented doses can request them

Although my GP practice refused to give them even though there is zero record of me ever being vaccinated against mumps, measles and Rubella, claiming that I must of had the vaccine because I had Rubella antibodies in both pregnancies...

There is zero record because I didn't have them as my mum doesn't believe in vaccinations and I have Rubella antibodies because as an 11 year old, I had German Measles (which is documented in my medical notes).

Paid £60 I think for both doses 5 weeks apart from a local travel clinic run by the chemist.

It's one vaccine as a child, with a booster. Though I believe there was a time a long time ago when they might have been given individually rather than as the combined jab.

As an adult, yes, two doses a month apart. I had to have mine redone as an adult because I was non-immune to measles and I needed it for work (NHS).

Ask for your vaccine record to be checked by a qualified HCP.
For instance, if you can see MMR Vav Pro twice, that's fairly easy to know you've had two doses...but say, one is MMR Vax Pro, and there is another entry for, say, Priorix, you wouldn't know you've had the recommended 2 doses, but you would have.

Thanks for asking and answering this question. It’s something I’d had at the back of my mind for the last few weeks since I heard something about two doses

2 doses one at 1 year and 1 at 3y 4m in uk anyway. both same vaccine. I’m a nurse and we all had to have our status check to make sure we are covered

How old are you?
In my day (I'm almost 50) mumps and measles was given as babies/toddlers. Rubella at age 11.

I have a history of my vaccine records in front of me. All I see is a batch number of vaccine. No name of vaccine.

Ah, I see. That makes it more difficult to decipher then.
If it's any help, you won't do ANY harm in getting another one. You can have multiple doses, safely. You've either got the antibodies or not.

NB. Practice nurse here.

So, do I phone my GP practice or will I email them and scan them my MMR page and request and appointment for a booster?

I got a text from NHSVaccines telling me my medical records indicate I've only have one dose of the MMR (I was born in 1976 and definitely had measles as a small child). I phoned my GP as directed, they checked and said I need another so booked me in.

Sorry, so yes, if you call your GP practice they can help

Thank you. I will phone my GP.

Do I need to make an appointment with the practice nurse or GP to discuss my MMR?

Absolutely, you can do either; although practices can vary wildly in how they deal with queries, advice, triage, appts etc...
I'm a great believer in, if you can, speaking to a human being. Try to be concise but specific and push, push, push to speak to the practice nurse.

Practice nurse.

I spoke to the receptionist who checked my notes then booked me in with the nurse for vaccine.

I made an appointment with the practice nurse. I will wait til my appointment and talk fitter with the nurse. The receptionist said it will be case of checking the archives.

I will go to my appointment with the information I have and maybe it might be a case of taking bloods and checking if I have immunity to the MMR.

Also when getting an MMR, do you have to be healthy as in no current cold or infections.

I am recovering for 4 weeks from a headcold/chest infection/sinus infection.

I wonder if some people are only partially vaccinated against the MMR or was one injection in the 90s enough to offer immunity?

I might very well be wrong but I was under the impression that before 1980ish (?) only the measles vaccine was available. I had that vaccine then no other for measles after that so I think my vaccination records only showed that dose. The drive seems to be to get everyone done with two doses.

The GP receptionist also told me they would check my archived physical medical records then put me on hold to speak to her supervisor; then told me she would book me in. I think it was just easier to get me booked in as it doesn't matter if you received a third dose.

A run of the mill cold would be fine with the MMR. Anything more, probably best to wait but only to avoid feeling extra rough after. The practice nurse will be happy for you to check first if you are worried.

Treat yourself to something nice after!

Measles vaccine introduced 1968. MMR single dose introduced 1988. Decision to add booster dose brought in October 1996. So lots of us will either have had the measles or only a single MMR, depending how long in the tooth we are!

Palmsun they won't check antibodies. It's cheaper just to vaccinate.