MMR Vaccination: How Many Doses Does This Patient Need?

August 10, 2020

As MMR vaccination rates drop, the CDC sounds alarms. To avoid a measles outbreak during COVID-19, how many MMR doses would you give in these 9 scenarios?

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of vaccines, or in the case of SARS-CoV2, the lack of a vaccine.

Both the CDC and WHO have issued bulletins emphasizing the importance of continuing and not delaying routine vaccines during this COVID crisis. Primary care providers can face unusual scenarios in dealing with patients who may or may not need an MMR vaccine. And, some may need 1, 2, or even 3 doses. How many doses will these patients need in the following situations? Is it possible that recent receipt of an MMR vaccine can reduce one's risk on contracting COVID? At the end I have attached an intriguing article that suggests it may.

PATIENT #1. Adult born in 1984 whose parents chose not to vaccinate. He is interested in getting vaccinated now. No measles cases have been reported in his state.

The patient needs 1 dose of MMR vaccine.

Patient #2. Physician born in 1956 has never been vaccinated. Several cases of measles have been reported in her small town. She doesn't know if she had measles disease.

This patient does not need a dose of MMR vaccine.

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MMR Vaccination: How Many Doses Does This Patient Need?

Terry Brenneman, MD