Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
EBM Guidelines
Feb 3, 2021 • Latest change Feb 3, 2021
Table of contents
Extract
- The incidence of measles, mumps and rubella has greatly reduced in many Western countries after the introduction of the MMR vaccine. Cases may be mostly found in travellers.
- Both measles and mumps, however, still occur widely in Europe.
- In EU/EEA Member States more than 10 000 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles in 2019 and over 7 000 laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps in 2017 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/measles-annual-epidemiological-report-20191 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/mumps-2017-aer.pdf2
- Rubella is considerably rarer, only 36 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in this area between Mar 2019 and Feb 2020. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/measles-rubella-monthly-report-april-2020.pdf3.
- Outbrakes or epidemics of measles, mumps or rubella occur in many European countries mainly because of too low vaccination coverage. See current situation in Europe https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/vaccine-preventable-diseases4 and in the world https://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/globalsummary5.
- All travellers should be protected againts MMR diseases. See national guidance on
immunization (notice especially small children who have not yet been vaccinated).
- As an example, in Finland the MMR vaccine is given at the age of 12–18 months and 6 years. A child older than 6 months may require an extra vaccination when travelling outside the Nordic countries and Estonia. https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/vaccines-a-to-z/mmr-or-measles-mumps-and-rubella-vaccine6
- If one of these illnesses is suspected, a specialist in infectious diseases should be consulted. The diagnosis must always be confirmed with antibody and PCR assays.
- The MMR diseases are often classified as notifiable (or dangerous communicable) diseases. Find out about their local status and relevant regulations.
Search terms
A81.1, B05, B06, B26, Droplet infection, Enanthema, Exanthema, Immunosuppression, Infectious diseases, Koplik's spots, MMR vaccine, Measles, Mumps, Orchitis, Paediatrics, Parotid gland, Pox, Rubella, SSPE, Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, Vitamin A