Children aged ≥12 months are recommended to receive 2 doses of rubella-containing vaccine

Age at 1st dose

MMR vaccine is not routinely recommended for infants <12 months of age. See Measles.

Children as young as 6 months of age can receive MMR vaccine in certain circumstances, including travel (see Measles). If an infant receives MMR vaccine at <12 months of age, they still need to receive 2 vaccine doses at ≥12 months of age.

There is some evidence that a dose provided at 11 months (and before 12 months) of age is sufficiently immunogenic. It is not necessary to repeat an early dose if it was given at ≥11 months but before 12 months of age. The Australian Immunisation Register accepts valid first doses from ≥11 months of age.

MMRV as 1st dose is not recommended

MMRV vaccine is not recommended as the 1st dose of rubella-containing vaccine in children <4 years of age. This is due to a small but increased risk of fever and febrile seizures when MMRV vaccine is given as the 1st dose of rubella-containing vaccine in this age group. See Adverse events.

If MMRV vaccine is inadvertently given as dose 1 of rubella-containing vaccine, the dose does not need to be repeated (providing it was given at ≥12 months of age). The scheduled 18-month dose of MMRV should still be given at the usual time. See Table. Minimum acceptable age for the 1st dose of scheduled vaccines in infants in Catch-up vaccination. Advise parents and carers about the small but increased risk of fever and febrile seizures (compared with that expected after MMR vaccine).

For more details about MMRV vaccine to prevent varicella disease, see Varicella.

Catch-up vaccination for rubella

Children who have not received rubella-containing vaccine at the recommended schedule points may need an alternative schedule.

See Catch-up vaccination for more details, including minimum intervals between doses.