Side effects of the measles vaccine

The measles vaccine is a live combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. For this reason, the measles vaccine is also called the MMR vaccine. You can schedule a measles vaccine at Walgreens.

Research and evidence show the measles vaccine to be very safe. Even after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of medications and vaccines, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA continue to monitor the safety following its use in the general population. Healthcare providers, health officials and the public are notified of any potential unexpected safety concerns with vaccines even if they’re rare.

More importantly, getting the measles vaccine is much safer than getting measles, mumps or rubella. Vaccinations for measles were initiated in 1963. Prior to measles vaccinations, there were about 3 to 4 million people who contracted measles every year, with an estimated 400 to 500 deaths, and 1,000 people developing encephalitis, or swelling in the brain. There has been a greater than 99% decrease in measles since vaccinations were introduced. In fact, measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 due to highly effective vaccines and high vaccination rates. However, more recently, measles outbreaks are reemerging due to unvaccinated or undervaccinated individuals coupled with travel leading to measles exposure.

Commonly reported side effects are usually mild and include:

• Soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given 
• Fever
• Mild rash
  
• Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints

The MMR vaccine is considered an important routine vaccination and is recommended for most individuals with some exceptions. You should not get the measles vaccine if you ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the antibiotic neomycin or any other part of measles vaccine. Additionally, you may be advised to not get the measles vaccine if you have certain health conditions, as the MMR vaccine is a live vaccine.

You should not get the MMR vaccine during pregnancy, and you should avoid getting the vaccine a month before you intend to get pregnant. It is safe to get it shortly after giving birth, even if you are breastfeeding.

Check with your healthcare provider about whether you should get the measles vaccine if you:

• Have HIV, AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
  
• Are being treated with medications that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for two weeks or longer
• Have cancer
• Are receiving cancer treatment with radiation and chemotherapy
• Have low blood platelet count 

No, research supports that the measles vaccine does not increase the risk for autism. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics have carefully studied the measles vaccine. No causal link between autism and the MMR vaccine has been found.

Updated March 2025.