Second MMR necessary as adult? Any doctors or nurses?

[FurnellaFurchester]

Hi all!

I discovered that I didn’t have an MMR as a child. I’m planning to start trying for my second baby very soon and with the surge in measles, I wanted to make sure I am protected.
As it’s a live vaccine, I can’t get pregnant within 4 weeks of the jab.
I’m keen to get started as I’m 38 so ideally would start trying after the 4 weeks is up (had it last week) rather than having the second and having to wait another 4 weeks (actually 8 to avoid a Christmas birth).

Online info is a bit contradictory as to the necessity of the second jab in adults so I wondered if anyone here has any experience?

Thanks!

Obviously you don't have to have the second dose if you don't want to but it's pointless having the first dose in that case as you won't be protected. Personally if it's important to you to have the MMR, then it's not really that long in the scheme of things to wait another 4 weeks to start to try to conceive.

Ask your practice nurse. Dd had a third one as an occupational health assessment and blood test showed she had no rubella immunity. She was over 18 at the time.

Yes, as above, ask your GP, but I'm nt sure if nurse would have the knowldge and that may apply to gp as well.
I've often seen GP refer to research on the net to refresh their mind.

Personally, I'd see the GP but armed with info to gently direct them onto the correct , best path as in any profession, not all have knowledge in every area of medicines.

Thanks so much for getting back to me.

Is the first dose rendered completely pointless without the second?
I was under the impression that 93% of people have immunity after one dose, rising to 97% after the second.

I’m probably worrying for nothing but I home ed my little boy and we mix with many people (some home edders can be quite ‘big pharma’ suspicious, also some in the Muslim community opt against - we’re involved with both quite often) I’d like to eliminate as many worries as I can before heading into the rollercoaster of pregnancy again.

True, the small time difference is not really a big deal - I’m just starting to feel impatient now we’ve decided to go for it! I know I’m fertile and ovulate every month so my age issues are all in my head!

The daft thing is that I have a medical family full of GP’s but we don’t want to go spreading the news of another baby yet so I can’t ask them 😂

You are likely to be rubella immune as it's usually checked in pregnancy - your 1st one would have advised if not the case. I'd have 2nd MMR for the measles protection and wait the 4 weeks in your circumstances. All the best

Have you had rubella (german measles)? If not, then it's essential to be protected before becoming pregnant. We hear very little about the dangers of rubella in pregnancy these days but it can be very damaging to the foetus, and lead to a very seriously disabled baby. Quote from NHS website..
"Rubella caught in the first ten weeks of pregnancy causes damage to nine out of ten unborn babies. The mother passes the virus on to her unborn baby and it damages the organs as they develop, particularly the developing eyes, ears, heart and brain – often in combination."

As stated by me and others - go and see a gp and take it from there.

Good luck

Can you ask the gp to check if you're immune. I found out whilst pregnant that I wasn't and it was a little scary to be honest. I had more injections after the birth (doses 3 and 4).

I'm the same. Didn't have it as a child so had my first jab a couple of months ago. Now pregnant without the second one

According to CDC.. One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, 78% effective against mumps, and 97% effective against rubella.

They also say Women of childbearing age should check with their doctor to make sure they are vaccinated before they get pregnant. Women of childbearing age who are not pregnant and do not have presumptive evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.

Hope that helps!

I was told by a very respected GP that as not everyone becomes immune after the 1st jab they give everyone a 2nd jab as it's cheaper and easier than testing everyone to see if they did get immunity first time around. This information was given to me in relation to my clinically vulnerable DD for whom we received exemplary care from this GP. So I would dispute the previous poster's comment about not bothering with the 1st one if you're not going to bother with the 2nd.
That said, for the sake of 2 months, and especially as you are planning a pregnancy, in your position I would go for the 2nd jab to make sure I had the best possible chance of immunity to protect any future baby.

Practice nurse is probably much more Knowledgeable than GP re immunisations as they do it every day. A quick google of the green book suggests you should have the second to ensure immunity
page 9&10
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e021b9140f0b6665e80187b/Greenbook_chapter_21_Measles_December_2019.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64dd28dd3fde61000d4a53e8/UKHSA-12599-algorithm-immunisation-status-from-1September2023.pdf

I have to have it after every pregnancy as I don't hold onto the rubella part.

You should have been tested in your last pregnancy for immunity and asked to have after if not.

I wasn’t aware of rubella immunity testing, I must have some immunity as I wasn’t told otherwise during my last pregnancy. I think I’ve focussed a bit too much on thinking about the 93% vs 97% not being a big difference. When really I need to think about how I’d feel if I were to catch measles and hadn’t done everything I can to prevent it. So therein lies my answer. Thanks all for letting me bounce my thoughts around.
I just need to stop my phone showing me baby pictures for a few more weeks!