Frequently asked questions

Can I have the MMR vaccine if I am breast feeding?

I have had rubella before – can I get it again?

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I recently had an MMR vaccination, and now I am
pregnant – is my baby at risk?
There is no evidence that rubella containing vaccines, such as MMR, affect the embryo or foetus of pregnant women. It has never been observed that a baby has been born with disabilities associated with rubella after their mother was vaccinated with a rubella jab while pregnant.

Very occasionally infants show signs of rubella infection, but no abnormalities.

As a precaution, “Immunisation against Infectious diseases” (the NHS bible on all things vaccination) advises that the vaccine should not be given to women known to be pregnant and that women should avoid pregnancy for a month after having received a rubella vaccine.

I am pregnant – is it dangerous to mix with children who have had the MMR vaccine?
No. The rubella virus in MMR is a weakened form of the wild virus.Sense is not aware of any evidence that people can catch rubella from someone who has had a rubella vaccine.

I am planning a pregnancy – what should I do about rubella?
You should talk to your GP. You can ask them to check your susceptibility to rubella infection, and if your GP thinks you may be at risk they will offer you the MMR vaccination. Ideally this should happen at least a month before you become pregnant.

Vaccination rates have been lower than the recommended level for a significant period in the UK, so Sense believes women who are thinking about becoming pregnant should check their rubella immunity levels and get vaccinated if needed.

I have already had an MMR vaccine when I was younger – my GP is advising I have another – is this OK?
You should talk to your GP who will be able to give you a detailed answer to your concerns. Sense is not aware of any reason why you should not receive a further MMR jab. If any of the viruses were circulating amongst the population we would come into contact with them several times over our lives, whether we were immune or not.

The Department of Health bible on immunisations, called “Immunisation against infectious diseases” states that documented evidence of having received two doses of a rubella vaccine would be satisfactory evidence of protection against the virus.

I could be pregnant – what the chances of catching rubella and what symptoms should I look out for?
Today in the UK there is very little rubella virus circulating so there are only a handful of women who catch rubella while pregnant and their child is born disabled as a result. This is largely due to the success of the vaccination programme. However, we can’t be complacent – there are localised outbreaks and lower than desired vaccination rates over a 10 year period mean that we risk seeing rubella return if we are not careful.

Some people who catch rubella don’t develop any of the symptoms (rash, swollen glands, feeling unwell, slight temperature) and the symptoms themselves are similar to those caused by other viruses. So if you are pregnant and think you have come into contact with rubella, waiting for the symptoms to develop is not advisable. You should talk to your GP who will ask you questions about your history of vaccination and contact with the disease and may carry out tests to find out if you have recently been infected and if the baby has been affected. Your GP will also be able to discuss the options available to you if they believe you have contracted rubella and passed the infection onto your unborn child.

What should I do if I am pregnant and think I have come into contact with rubella or contracted the disease?
In the first place you should see your GP and tell them why you think you have come into contact with or contracted rubella. They will ask you questions about your history of vaccination and contact with the disease and may carry out tests to find out if you have recently been infected and if the baby has been affected. If the tests come back positive you will be offered support and your GP will discuss your options with you.

I am pregnant and have never had a rubella vaccine and my friend’s son has rubella – is it OK for him to come round?
If you are pregnant, particularly in your first trimester, and you know an individual has rubella then you should avoid them. If you have come into contact with them then you should see your doctor.

However this is a complicated question and there are several factors to be aware of:

• The only way to confirm a diagnosis of rubella is via a laboratory test

Some people who catch rubella don’t develop any of the symptoms (rash, swollen glands, feeling unwell, slight temperature) and the symptoms themselves are similar to those caused by other viruses

• The stage of your pregnancy is important

Infection in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy causes 90% of infants to be damaged - typically their heart, eyes, ears and brain, often in combination. In the next six weeks a third of infants are affected, usually but not always restricted to hearing loss.Later infection is rarely associated with damage, and is referred to as congenital rubella infection.

• All women are offered a screening test during pregnancy to find out if you are susceptible to rubella infection

Note this is not a test for infection during pregnancy but to identify if you need vaccinating after your child is born

Generally, avoiding people known to have rubella will not be an effective way to protect all pregnant women. The best way to protect pregnant women is to stop the disease circulating by immunising all children with MMR.Women who are thinking about becoming pregnant can ask their GP to test their rubella susceptibility and the GP will advise if vaccination is necessary.

I am pregnant and have just received some blood test results. My Doctor has highlighted the rubella tests - does this mean I have contracted rubella during my pregnancy.
All pregnant women are routinely tested for rubella antibodies during their ante natal screening. This test is to find out your susceptibility to rubella not whether you have recently been infected. If you are susceptible to rubella your GP will advise that you receive the MMR vaccination after your pregnancy.

Can I have the MMR vaccine if I am breast feeding?
Yes. There is no risk to your baby.Very occasionally the rubella vaccine virus has been found in breast milk but this has not caused any symptoms in the baby. There is no evidence that mumps and measles vaccine viruses have been found in breast milk.

Having the MMR vaccine after your first pregnancy will protect you and any future children from rubella.

I have had rubella before – can I get it again?
Although very rare, this has been known to happen. So if you think you may have rubella, talk to your Doctor.