Immunity after MMR vaccination how long?

karenG · Jul 15, 2004

vaccine induced anti-bodies have been shown to persist for at least 18yrs. over here we only give 2 doses- its thought to confer life-long immunity.

I am still immune and its 30yrs since I had rubella!

Karen

MiaLyse, APRN · Jul 15, 2004

Hi everyone! I have looked at my texts and can't find out how long it takes for antibodies to form after having the MMR. I know that typically for most injections it is 2-4 weeks. I ask this because after I have the MMR for school they want a titer drawn to show reactive status and I don't want to waste my money and have it drawn to soon...does anyone one know how long to wait (without over waiting) it should take??? It has also been 25+ years since I have had this shot as a child and know that my immunity most likely will be non reactive since it has been so long (hence the need to get it).
Thanks,
Kim

It had been 25+ yrs. since I had the vaccine (probably more like 30+ years) and I had my titers drawn for school. I still have immunity.

Kelly

kimlpn · Jul 15, 2004

Thanks for the posts..maybe I still have immunity. The nurse at the health department said after 18 years one probably doesn't have much immunity left and suggested having the MMR and waiting a few weeks to have the titer drawn...but this may not be the case:)

Thanks again!

Kim

curlynurse · Jul 15, 2004

I recently had titers drawn for a new job. I was not immune to measles, so I was given an MMR. I am 31 years old. The infection control nurse told me that they used to only give one dose of MMR with childhood vaccinations and that the few people that she has seen who were not immune were in my age group and had only received the one dose. Doesn't really answer your question, does it?!?

mac23 · Jul 15, 2004

Well I'm 25 and when I applied for my most recent job and had titers drawn I was not immune anymore and had to get 2 MMR shots 30 days apart.

imenid37 · Jul 15, 2004

At age 25, I had atypical measles syndrome. I had the measles vaccine at age 9 months, but it was the killed vaccine, not the attentuated live virus. Several other people in my hospital had measles too. IT was HORRIBLE. I have never before or since felt so sick. My temp went to 104.8 and I thought I would die. I know this is off the topic, but if you're advised to get the vaccine, I'd say do it. It is well worth it knowing what I know now.

NurseDiva04 · Jul 15, 2004

You can also get chicken pox as an adult even if you had it as a child. Also, if the pox don't come all the way out, it can come as shingles. My mom had shingles in her 50's and it affected her nerve a lot!

danceemt81 · Apr 3, 2011

Just a quick FYI for all women who have recently gotten or are planning to get the MMR vaccine, DO NOT get pregnant for 2-3 months after vaccination as the rubella component of the vaccination is live, and rubella is the most teratogenic substance known to man. Be careful and warn your patients as well.