St George’s Medical Centre

Increase in cases of mumps nationally

The majority of cases (68%) have been in individuals aged 15 to 24 years and a number of outbreaks linked to universities and colleges.

When are the MMR (Mumps, Measles and Rubella) vaccinations usually given?
The best times are between 12 and 13 months of age and again at three years and four months, with one dose on each occasion. But, if you / your child wasn’t vaccinated then, you / they can be vaccinated at any age with two doses one month apart.

THERE IS NO UPPER AGE LIMIT TO OFFERING THE MMR VACCINE.

  • TWO doses of MMR vaccine are needed to get the best protection.
  • If your child is due to have had two doses of MMR but has not yet received them, no matter what age they are now, you should make an appointment with the surgery.
  • If you can’t remember if you / your child has had any, one or two doses of MMR vaccine, check your / his or her personal child health record (the Red Book) / Ask your parent / carer or contact the surgery (Please do so during our quieter periods Tue-Thur after 2pm).
  • If you don’t know how many doses you / your child has had, it’s better to have two doses of MMR vaccine now rather than risk leaving them unprotected.
  • The practice will be inviting those patients with none or one vaccine recorded in the coming weeks.