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

[clemette]

(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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

Second that!

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

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.

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

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.

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

I am 31 BTW

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.

Thanks everyone.