If you were born in 1957 or later, you need at least one MMR dose unless you can show proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. If you are in a higher-risk group, such as a college student, a health care worker or an international traveler, you are advised two doses, the second four weeks after the first. If you were born before 1957, you are usually immune, but without proof you should still get the vaccine.
Which adults need the MMR vaccine?
WebMD's adult MMR guide, medically reviewed February 27, 2025, cites the CDC for this rule. If you were born in 1957 or later, it recommends the MMR vaccine unless you have one of three things: lab results showing you are immune to all three diseases, medical records showing you have had all three, or proof that you have been vaccinated against all three.
Adults born before 1957 are usually immune, because most people caught these diseases as children before vaccines were available. If you were born before 1957 and cannot show proof, it is best to get the vaccine.
If you are a woman of childbearing age, you should get the MMR vaccine unless you are pregnant, have proof of immunity, or have proof that you were already vaccinated.
How many doses of MMR does an adult need?
For most adults born in 1957 or later, the advice is at least one dose. For adults at higher risk, the CDC's advice, as WebMD's guide reports it, is two doses. The table lists the groups it names.
| Adult group | Doses advised |
|---|---|
| Born 1957 or later, without proof of immunity | At least one dose |
| Exposed to measles or mumps, or living in an area with an outbreak; college or trade school students; international travelers; health care workers | Two doses, the second four weeks after the first |
| Health care professional born before 1957, without proof of immunity or disease | Two doses, at least 28 days apart |
| Previously given a measles vaccine made with killed virus | A second dose for measles |
| Given an MMR vaccine between 1963 and 1967, with no record of which type | A second dose for measles |
If you want to see how one dose compares with two, read our page on how effective the MMR vaccine is.
When is a second dose advised?
A second dose is advised for the higher-risk groups in the table above. Those adults get the second dose four weeks after the first. Health care professionals born before 1957 without proof get two doses, at least 28 days apart. For measles, a second dose is also advised for the two cases in the table.
Who should not get the MMR vaccine?
WebMD's guide lists these adults who should not get the vaccine:
- Pregnant adults, because of risks to the baby. If you are vaccinated, wait four weeks before becoming pregnant.
- Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, a previous MMR vaccine, or the medication neomycin.
It also advises talking with your doctor first if you have HIV, another immune system disorder, cancer or cancer treatment, a low platelet count, a recent blood transfusion or blood products, steroids or other drugs that affect the immune system, or a moderate or severe illness.
How can I prove I am already immune?
WebMD's guide lists three kinds of proof: lab results showing immunity to measles, mumps and rubella, medical records showing you have had all three diseases, or proof that you were vaccinated against all three. Bring whichever you have to your appointment.
Why do adults still need MMR?
As of November 2026, the AAP measles vaccine page, last updated 11/03/2026, says measles vaccine was introduced in the United States in 1963. Since licensure, measles incidence has fallen by over 99%, and most measles cases occur in people who are unvaccinated. The page also gives a community immunity threshold for measles of about 92-94%, meaning that share of people needs immunity from vaccination or past infection to limit spread. The American Academy of Pediatrics writes this for pediatric practice, so its figures describe the whole US population, while its routine dosing is for children.
Is the MMR vaccine safe?
A 2019 review in Annual Review of Virology, indexed by PubMed, looked at published epidemiologic studies of MMR and autism. It reports that several of these studies found no association between MMR vaccination and autism, including one that found no increased risk even among high-risk children whose older siblings had autism. The review describes the evidence of safety as strong. It is about children, so it does not answer every adult question.
The AAP's page lists the common side effects of MMR products as a sore arm, fever and a mild rash. WebMD's guide adds that rarer, more serious effects include a temporarily low platelet count and a serious allergic reaction.
What should you check before your appointment?
The rules above depend on details that only you and your clinician can confirm. Before you go, check these points:
- Your birth year, and whether you have lab results, past diagnoses or vaccination records.
- Whether you are pregnant, or could become pregnant in the next four weeks.
- Whether you fall into a higher-risk group, such as travel, school, health care work or an outbreak area.
- Any condition or medicine from the list above that you should talk through first.
WebMD's guide is dated February 27, 2025, so confirm the current rule for your birth year on the CDC's adult schedule, and ask your clinician or pharmacist whether your records meet it. If you are also tracking other changes before a health visit, see attention changes in adults.
By SterlingMedicalCenter.org Editorial Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.