Diseases it protects from

• measles
• mumps
• rubella
• varicella (chickenpox)

Who should get this vaccine

As part of the routine immunization schedule, children get this vaccine starting at age 12 months up to and including 12 years. You do not get this vaccine if you are older than 12 years.

This vaccine may also be recommended for children if they have had recent contact with the measles virus and have not had all of the recommended number of doses of measles vaccine.

Already had varicella

Depending on your child’s age, they may still need this vaccine even if they have already had varicella.

• If your child had varicella before 1 year of age, they are considered not protected for varicella and should get this vaccine.
• If your child was born on or after August 1, 2012, they should get this vaccine even if you think they have already had varicella. This is because with many people being immunized against varicella since that date, it is more likely the illness your child had was not varicella (it may have been a different rash or infection). If your child was tested at the time of their illness and the test confirmed it was varicella, then they may not need this vaccine. They can get a different vaccine that protects them against measles, mumps, and rubella only. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about which vaccine your child needs.
• If your child was born before August 1, 2012 and had varicella at 1 year of age or older, they are considered protected for varicella. They can get a different vaccine that protects them against measles, mumps, and rubella only.

Who may not be able to get this vaccine

Your child may not be able to get this vaccine if:

• They have an allergy to any part of the vaccine. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any allergies your child may have.
• They had a severe (serious) or unusual side effect after this vaccine or one like it.
• They have a weak immune system (because of a medicine they take or a health problem).
• They have a family history of a weak immune system.
• They had a blood product in the past 11 months.
• They had another live vaccine in the past 3 months.
• They are under age 4 years and have seizures or a family history of seizures.
• They had an organ or stem cell transplant.
• They are pregnant.

If any of these apply, check with your child’s healthcare provider or a public health nurse before they get the vaccine.

Although your child can get the vaccine if they have a mild illness such as a cold or fever, they should stay home until they are feeling better to prevent spreading their illness to others.

Doses

Children need 2 doses. As of January 1, 2021, children can get their first dose at age 12 months and their second dose at age 18 months. If your child is 18 months or older and they have not had their second dose of MMR-Var vaccine, they can get their second dose at least 3 months after their first dose.

Children may get the second dose earlier if they are travelling outside of Canada or to areas within Canada where measles is spreading or if they have had recent contact with the measles virus. How long you need to wait to get your second dose depends on what vaccine you are getting (MMR or MMR-Var). Check with your healthcare provider when you can get your second dose.

If a child gets a second dose of this vaccine less than 3 months from their first dose, it is considered off-label use. “Off-label use” means the vaccine is used differently than the way it was originally approved. Vaccine experts support using the MMR-Var vaccine this way and have no safety concerns with this off-label use.

Other vaccines that protect against the same diseases

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Younger babies (ages 6 to 11 months), children who do not need varicella vaccine, children over age 12 years, and adults who need a vaccine for measles, mumps, or rubella can get this vaccine.

The varicella vaccine protects against varicella.

Get the vaccine

You can get the vaccine at your local public health or community health centre.

How well it works

After 2 doses, protection is about:

• 100% for measles
• 76% to 95% for mumps
• 95% for rubella
• 98% for varicella

Safety

Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.

Side effects

There can be side effects from the MMR-Var vaccine. They tend to be mild and go away in a few days, but side effects can happen up to 6 weeks after having this vaccine. They may include:

• redness where you had the needle that may look red on lighter skin or purple on darker skin
• swelling, bruising, bleeding, rash, or feeling sore where you had the needle
• getting upset easily
• a fever
• vomiting (throwing up) or loose stool (diarrhea)
• a rash, including a measles-like rash (a blotchy, red rash) or a rubella-like rash (rash with red, raised bumps) that may look red on lighter skin or purple or hard to see on darker skin
• a varicella-like rash (rash with water-filled blisters)
• a sore throat, cough, or runny nose

At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.

It is important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.

It is rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.

How to manage side effects

• To help with soreness and swelling, put a cool, wet cloth over the area where you had the needle.
• There is medicine to help with a fever or pain. Check with your child’s healthcare provider if you're not sure what medicine or dose to give. Follow the directions on the package.
• Children under the age of 18 years should not take aspirin for 6 weeks after getting a vaccine that protects against varicella (unless your healthcare provider has told you to take it) because it can cause serious health problems.
• If your child gets a rash that looks like varicella, keep it covered. If you cannot cover your child’s rash, keep them away from anyone who is pregnant, newborn babies, and people with weak immune systems. If your child has 50 or more spots, call Health Link at 811.
• Some people with health problems, such as a weak immune system, must call their healthcare provider if they get a fever. If you have been told to do this, call your child’s healthcare provider even if you think the fever is from the vaccine.

There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.