What is MMR?

MMR stands for Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, and Rubella.  MMR is usually used to refer to either the vaccine that provides protection against these 3 viral infections, or the blood test to test your immune reaction.  The MMR vaccine is one of the most common vaccinations in the United States.  Over 90% of all children and adolescents in the USA have received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. An MMR Titer is a blood test that checks a person’s IgG antibody levels against the 3 diseases.  The purpose of an MMR titer is to determine if a person has protective antibodies.   In most cases, these antibodies will come from being vaccinated.

What is the MMR Vaccine Schedule?

In the United States, most people receive the MMR vaccine when they are young.  The normal procedure for MMR vaccination is to receive 2 doses.  Children aged 12-15 months should wait at least 28 days between doses but may be able to wait as long as 4-6 years before getting a second dose.  For adolescents and adults, it is usually recommended to get 2 doses at least 28 days apart.  It may take up to several weeks after the second dose for the vaccine to provide full protection.

How long after the MMR vaccine are you immune?

Once a person has received the MMR vaccine, it typically takes 2-3 weeks for it to be fully effective.  Some people with have at least a degree of protection in as little as 72 hours post-vaccination.  If your vaccination is time-sensitive, as may be the case if you are traveling, plan to get vaccinated at least 3 weeks in advance to be safe.  If you are uncertain whether the vaccine has had enough time to take effect a titer blood test can help determine how many antibodies you currently have.

Do adults need an MMR Booster?

In most cases the MMR vaccine provides life-long protection.  However, in some cases, protection may wane as a person grows older.  In these cases, a second vaccination may be recommended.  Checking your immune status is easy thanks to the MMR titer test.  This simple blood test will provide numerical values for your antibodies to each of the 3 MMR components.  If any are below the level of protection, another vaccine may be warranted.  Boosters are especially recommended for people who are in an area where measles, mumps, or rubella are prevalent or where an outbreak has recently occurred.  Adults who will be around young children who are unvaccinated are also recommended to ensure they have protection.  In some, cases an adult may develop an asymptomatic infection which they can pass to a vulnerable infant.

Who should order an MMR Titer Test?

The MMR Titer is a tool for checking whether a person has protective immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella.  There are a number of situations where someone may want or need to check their MMR immune status. 

• Most colleges and some high schools require incoming students to provide proof of their immune status.
• People traveling internationally are often required to show vaccination records or proof of immunity, especially if they are traveling to or from areas where infectious diseases are prevalent. 
• Healthcare workers who may be in contact with people who have measles, mumps, or rubella, or who have compromised immune systems are required to provide proof of immune status. 
• People who work in places where large numbers of people live in close proximity such as correctional facilities or retirement homes will typically need vaccination or immunity records.
• Women planning to become pregnant should check MMR titer levels at least a month prior to conceiving.  Getting vaccinated shortly before or during pregnancy could be harmful to the fetus.

How to Order an MMR Titer Test

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to get an MMR titer test, Request A Test is the answer.  Our direct-to-consumer lab testing service allows anyone to order their own lab testing.  There is no insurance required and no need to schedule a doctor’s visit or get a prescription from your own medical provider.  We provide the medical testing order and allow you to pick from over 7,000 testing sites near you.  In addition to the MMR titer test, we also offer hundreds of other options including more titers, general health, and drug testing.  To get started just visit our site and order online.  Or, call our team at 888-732-2348.  We’re ready to assist you in ordering a test or answering your questions. 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/hcp/recommendations.html

https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/adult-mmr-vaccine-guidelines

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/some-adults-may-need-a-measles-booster/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/mmr-vaccine

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