Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccine provides excellent protection against these 3 diseases. All VUMC faculty/staff must provide proof of immunization or immunity against rubella, and those born on or after 1/1/1957 must provide proof of immunization or immunity against measles and mumps also. MMR vaccines are provided at no charge to employees when needed to meet VUMC immunization compliance requirements. People with a medical reason for why they cannot take the vaccine can receive a medical deferral from OHC as appropriate. Vaccines are available at multiple locations:
- Occupational Health Clinic (OHC) walk-in
- One Hundred Oaks on Thursdays from 8:00am-11:30am
- New Staff Orientation
- OHC Comes To You Events
FAQ about the MMR Vaccine
Q: I'm pregnant and cannot take the MMR vaccine. What should I do?
A: Notify OHC of your pregnancy along with your estimated delivery date. We will temporarily exempt you from the MMR vaccine requirement. You will need to receive the vaccine after you deliver unless you can provide proof of immunity or vaccination.
Q: I'm trying to conceive and my doctor says not to take the MMR. Can I be exempted?
A: Conception attempts are unpredictable in duration, so we cannot exempt you from the MMR requirement on this basis. Given the rise in measles and mumps risk in the U.S., it is advisable to become immune to these diseases before you conceive. You can either take the MMR vaccine now and resume your pregnancy attempt after a waiting period or you can provide us with laboratory proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (a positive IgG antibody to each virus.)
Q: How long should I wait to become pregnant after receiving the MMR?
A: Recommendations vary from 1-3 months. Check with your OB/GYN for his or her preference.
Q: After I took the MMR vaccine, I found out I was pregnant. What is the risk to my baby?
A:The risk of MMR vaccination in pregnancy is theoretical. Rubella infection in pregnancy is known to cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). As a precaution, the vaccine is not recommended because of a concern that the rubella component of the vaccine might cause some form of CRS. However, a registry of susceptible women vaccinated with rubella vaccine between 3 months before and 3 months after conception - the "Vaccine in Pregnancy (VIP) Registry" - was kept between 1971 and 1989, and no evidence of CRS occurred in the offspring of the 226 women who received the rubella vaccine and continued their pregnancy to term.
Q: I'm going to nursing school and I have had all the required vaccines, but my school wants me to send in blood tests for measles, mumps, and rubella. What should I do?
A: Antibody testing after MMR or Varicella vaccination is not recommended. Additional vaccination is not necessary even if a later antibody test is negative. We encourage you to provide your school with this statement, and hope they will align their policies with current CDC recommendations. If your school insists on testing, OHC can draw the labs, but be advised that you will receive a bill from the Vanderbilt lab, the cost of which will most likely not be covered by your insurance plan.
Additional information:
OHC Comes to You locations and times
Keywords: MMR, measles, rubeola, German measles, rubella, mumps, immunity, immunization, inoculation, shot, vaccination
