How and when is the vaccine given?
The MMR vaccine contains weakened versions of live measles, mumps and rubella viruses. Because the viruses are weakened, people who have recently had the vaccine cannot infect other people. The vaccine is injected into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm. It is given to a child at around 13 months of age after the immunity the baby got from their mother fades. It is given again when children are aged between three and five.
