In 2024 there were 2,911 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England, the highest number of cases recorded annually, since 2012. The latest data can be found on the UK Health Security Agency website. More information about measles can also be found on the NHS website. Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious health problems. Having the MMRV vaccine is the best way to protect someone from becoming seriously unwell with measles.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if
- you think you or your child may have measles
- your child is under 1 year old and has come into contact with someone who has measles
- you've been in close contact with someone who has measles and you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system
- you or your child have a high temperature that has not come down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
- you or your child have difficulty breathing – you may feel more short of breath than usual
- your baby or young child is not feeding well, or taking less feeds or fluids than usual
- you or your child are peeing less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies)
- you or your child feels very unwell, or you're worried something is seriously wrong
- Measles can spread to others easily. Call your GP surgery before you go in. They may suggest talking over the phone.
You can also call 111 or get help from 111 online.
If you need to visit A&E, it is important that you inform the team as soon as you arrive that you suspect measles. Do not drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Bring any medicines you take with you.
MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox) vaccine FAQs
No. Getting vaccinated is important, as these infections spread very easily between people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), pneumonia, and hearing loss.
The measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (MMRV) vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine for all four illnesses. Getting vaccinated is important, as these infections spread very easily between people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), pneumonia, and hearing loss.
The MMRV vaccine helps protect against:
These infections spread very easily between people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), pneumonia, and hearing loss.
The MMRV vaccine is recommended for young children as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.
The number of doses children are given depends on when they were born. Some older children will have already had 1 or 2 doses of the MMR vaccine which also protects against measles, mumps and rubella, but not chickenpox.
The MMRV vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm or thigh. It's usually given at the same time as other routine vaccinations.
Your child will usually need 2 doses for full protection.
Most children have the 1st dose when they're 12 months old and the 2nd dose when they're 18 months old.
Like all medicines, the MMRV vaccine can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.
Common side effects are usually mild and only last 2 to 3 days. They include:
- a raised, blotchy rash (similar to a measles rash), feeling unwell and a high temperature – this may happen about 6 to 10 days after the vaccination and is not infectious
- swelling around the face and aching in the joints (similar to mild forms of mumps or rubella) – this may happen about 2 to 3 weeks after the vaccination and is not infectious
- a spotty rash in the area where the injection was given (similar to a chickenpox rash) – this may happen about 3 to 4 weeks after the vaccination
The spotty rash may contain infectious chickenpox virus and should be covered with clothes. As long as the spots are covered, children can go to nursery as normal.
More serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are rare. The person who vaccinates your child will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
Most children can have the MMRV vaccine.
But it's not suitable for some children because it's a live vaccine, which means it contains weakened versions of the measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox viruses.
The MMRV vaccine is not given if your child:
- has a severely weakened immune system, either because of a health condition or because they are taking medicines that suppress the immune system
- has had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any ingredients in the vaccine, including gelatine or neomycin
Getting vaccinated if your child is unwell
Your child can have the MMRV vaccine if they're unwell but they do not have a high temperature.
If your child has a high temperature or feels very unwell, wait until they feel better before they have the MMRV vaccine.
There are 2 types of MMRV vaccine in the UK which work equally well. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets:
- ProQuad MMRV vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website)
- Priorix-Tetra MMRV vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website)
The ProQuad MMRV vaccine contains a small amount of gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatine). Speak to the person vaccinating your child if you want your child to have the Priorix-Tetra MMRV vaccine instead.
Your GP surgery will usually contact you about your child's MMRV vaccinations. This will usually be by letter, text message, phone call or email.
Speak to your GP surgery if:
- your child is due their MMRV vaccine but you've not been contacted to get it
- your child has missed their MMRV vaccine
- your child has a high temperature and is due to have the vaccine – they may need to wait until they're feeling better before having the vaccine
- you need to change a vaccination appointment
Your GP surgery can book or rearrange an appointment.
Speak to your GP surgery if:
- your child is due their MMRV vaccine but you've not been contacted to get it
- your child has missed their MMRV vaccine
- your child has a high temperature and is due to have the vaccine – they may need to wait until they're feeling better before having the vaccine
- you need to change a vaccination appointment
Your GP surgery can book or rearrange an appointment.
Protection against measles, mumps and rubella starts within 2 weeks of having the MMRV vaccine. Protection against chickenpox starts within 3 weeks of having the vaccine.
After 2 doses:
- around 99% of children will be protected against measles and rubella
- around 97% of children will be protected against chickenpox
- around 88% of children will be protected against mumps
If your child gets mumps after being vaccinated, the symptoms will usually be much milder.