Why is there a two-dose recommendation for MMR but not for mumps and rubella?
First, measles is more contagious than mumps or rubella. But also, the ACIP made the two-dose recommendation around the time of the measles resurgence of 1989-1991, when there were outbreaks involving huge numbers of people. Even though we know that people benefit from two doses of mumps and rubella as well, we’ve never had the resurgence of disease or the outbreaks that we’ve had with measles. There really hasn’t been a reason, statistically speaking, to make that recommendation. However, two doses of MMR certainly doesn’t hurt.
Related Questions
- Would it be better to vaccinate my child with separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines rather than the MMR vaccine?
- Why should my child have the vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella singly rather than combined in the MMR?
- Why is there a two-dose recommendation for MMR but not for mumps and rubella?
