Rubella and mumps virus vaccine live (Intramuscular)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 14, 2022.

Uses for rubella and mumps virus vaccine live

Rubella and mumps virus vaccine live is an active immunizing agent used to prevent infection by the rubella and mumps viruses. It works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus.

Rubella (also known as German measles) is a serious infection that causes miscarriages, stillbirths, or birth defects in unborn babies when pregnant women get the disease.

Mumps is an infection that can cause serious problems, such as encephalitis and meningitis, which affect the brain. In addition, adolescent boys and men are very susceptible to a condition called orchitis, which causes pain and swelling in the testicles and scrotum and, in rare cases, sterility. Also, mumps infection can cause spontaneous abortion in women during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

While immunization against rubella and mumps is recommended for all persons 12 months of age and older, it is especially important for women of childbearing age and persons traveling outside the U.S.

If rubella and mumps virus vaccine live is to be given to a child, the child should be at least 12 months of age. This is to make sure the vaccine is effective. In a child less than 12 months of age, antibodies from the mother may prevent the vaccine from working.

This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional.

Before using rubella and mumps virus vaccine live

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to rubella and mumps virus vaccine live or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Use of this vaccine is not recommended for infants younger than 12 months of age. Children who received the vaccine when younger than 12 months of age should receive another dose of vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this vaccine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Receiving this vaccine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to use this vaccine or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Alemtuzumab
• Bendamustine
• Bortezomib
• Bosutinib
• Cabazitaxel
• Capecitabine
• Carboplati...