MMRV Vaccine

Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella are serious diseases caused by viruses that spread from person to person.

Getting infected with the rubella virus (also known as German Measles) during pregnancy can lead to a miscarriage or serious birth defects.

The measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in children. This vaccine helps your body build immunity to the diseases. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

On September 18, 2025, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 8-3 to change the current recommendations for the MMRV vaccine. Previously, the MMRV vaccine could be given to children between 12 months and 12 years old. The committee now recommends against using the combined MMRV vaccine for children under 4 years, and instead advises that this age group receive separate MMR and varicella vaccines. The recommendation is waiting for final approval from the CDC director, but such recommendations are usually accepted.

Like any vaccine, the MMRV vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Your child should not receive a booster vaccine if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she is allergic to gelatin or neomycin, or if he or she has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing measles, mumps, rubella, or varicella.

Your child should also not receive this vaccine if he or she has:

• fever;
• active tuberculosis that is not being treated;
• a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine); or
• if she is pregnant or plans to become pregnant in the next 3 months.

Tell your doctor if your child has:

• allergy to eggs;
• a family member with a weak immune system;
• any medical problems;
• a history of seizures or a family history of seizures;
• recently had a blood transfusion or has received immune globulin or other blood products;
• any allergies;
• had an allergic reaction to any other vaccine; or
• has or had a low blood platelet count.

Although MMRV Vaccine is normally given only to children, a pregnant woman should not receive this vaccine because it may cause birth defects. Any female receiving MMRV Vaccine should not get pregnant for 3 months after getting the vaccine.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction (hives, trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Your child should not receive a booster vaccine if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any side effects your child experiences after getting this vaccine. If your child needs a booster dose in the future, inform the doctor about any side effects from previous shots.

Call the doctor right away if your child has any of these serious side effects:

• a high fever;
• problems walking;
• seizures;
• severe skin issues or skin infection;
• fever, chills, cough with mucus, chest pain, or shortness of breath;
• stiff neck, sensitivity to light;
• confusion; or
• easy bruising, purple or red spots under the skin.

Common side effects of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine may include:

• pain, tenderness, soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given;
• fever;
• a rash that looks like chickenpox; or
• irritability.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

This vaccine is given in the arm or thigh. Your child will receive this injection in a doctor's office, clinic setting, or pharmacy.

Refer to the MMRV vaccine prescribing information for specific dosing guidelines.

If your child has received any other measles vaccine, at least 1 month should pass between that vaccine and the MMRV vaccine.

If your child has received any other varicella vaccine, at least 3 months should pass between that vaccine and the MMRV vaccine.

Your child's booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow the doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by your local health department.

This vaccine can cause false results on a skin test for tuberculosis for up to 6 weeks. Tell any doctor who treats your child if he or she has received an MMRV vaccine within the past 4 to 6 weeks.

Make sure your child gets all the recommended doses of this vaccine, or they may not be fully protected against disease.

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to happen.

For 6 weeks after your child receives the MMRV vaccine:

• Do not give your child salicylate medicine (such as aspirin, Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol, and others). A serious condition called Reye's Syndrome has been reported in patients with chickenpox who take aspirin or salicylates.
• Your child should avoid contact with anyone who could easily get infected with chickenpox. This may include newborn infants, pregnant women who have never had chickenpox, and anyone with a weak immune system. The MMRV vaccine may not cause your child to show symptoms of chickenpox. However, there is a chance that the varicella virus could be passed from a recently vaccinated child to someone who may be susceptible to chickenpox.

MMRV vaccine can sometimes be given at the same time as other vaccines. Before your child gets this vaccine, inform the doctor about all other vaccines your child has recently received.

Also, let the doctor know if your child has recently taken any drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• steroid medicine;
• chemotherapy or radiation treatments;
• medications for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or
• medicines for treating or preventing organ transplant rejection.

If your child is on any of these medications, they may not be able to receive the vaccine, or they might need to wait until their other treatments are finished.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect the MMRV vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.