Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) Vaccination

Measles is a very contagious viral respiratory disease that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. It can have complications ranging from ear infection or diarrhoea to pneumonia, brain damage and death.

Mumps causes fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and swollen glands. Complications can be severe and include swelling of testicles or ovaries, deafness, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and rarely, death.

Rubella causes a fever, sore throat, rash, headache, and itchy eyes. In a pregnant woman, it can cause miscarriage or birth abnormalities in the baby.

It is a requirement that any positive case of Measles or Mumps is reported to the Public Health Unit in the area. This enables investigation of where the virus may have originated and how best to contain its potential spread.

How is Measles, Mumps and/or Rubella diagnosed and treated?

A diagnosis of Measles, Mumps or Rubella will usually be confirmed by laboratory testing of samples from the nose, mouth, throat, urine, or blood depending on which disease is in question.

There are no specific treatments for Measles, Mumps, or Rubella. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive including paracetamol for fever, rest and drinking plenty of fluids.

How can I protect myself from Measles, Mumps and Rubella?

The best protection against all three diseases is to get vaccinated. Two doses of a vaccine formulated to protect against Measles, Mumps and Rubella given at least 4 weeks apart will provide long term and likely lifelong protection in 99% of people.

Who can get vaccinated at National Pharmacies?

If you’re not sure you’ve been vaccinated for Measles, Mumps and Rubella in the past and you’ve never had the diseases, it’s safe to have an extra vaccine in this case.

In South Australia – people over the age of 10 years

In Victoria – people over the age of 15 years

In New South Wales – people over the age of 5 years

Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) Vaccination Pricing: Members from $45.40 per dose, Retail Price from $58 per dose.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/vaccines/mmr-vaccine.html

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/measles_factsheet.aspx#:~:text=How%20is%20measles%20diagnosed%3F,test%20may%20also%20be%20performed.

https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/hcp.html#:~:text=Chapter%209%3A%20Mumps.-,Laboratory%20Tests%20to%20Diagnose%20Mumps,aid%20in%20diagnosing%20mumps%20infection.

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/mumps.aspx

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/ea1c9b0040741be0959db7a05d853418/Vaccine+Administration+Code+-+December+2021.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&amp%3bCACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-ea1c9b0040741be0959db7a05d853418-nR-X33y

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https://www.health.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-10/Victorian%2520Pharmacist-Administered%2520Vaccination%2520Program%2520Guidelines%2520October%25202022.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Documents/pharmacist-new-standard.pdf