MMR Vaccine Overview
The MMR vaccine is a combined vaccine that protects against three highly infectious viral illnesses: measles, mumps and rubella.
These infections can spread quickly between people who are not immune and may cause serious complications, including pneumonia, meningitis, hearing loss, inflammation of the brain and pregnancy complications.
How Is the Vaccine Given?
The MMR vaccine is a live vaccine administered as an injection, usually into the upper arm. Two recorded doses provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
What Does MMR Protect Against?
- Measles: a highly contagious infection that can cause fever, cough, rash, pneumonia and brain inflammation
- Mumps: an infection that can cause painful swelling around the face and jaw, meningitis and inflammation of the testicles
- Rubella: an infection that is often mild but can seriously harm an unborn baby during pregnancy
Vaccination protects the individual and helps reduce the spread of infection to babies, pregnant women and people who cannot receive live vaccines.
Who May Need MMR Catch-Up Vaccination?
MMR vaccination may be suitable for older children and adults who did not receive two recorded doses when younger, cannot find their records or are unsure whether they are fully protected.
- Children who missed one or both routine doses
- Adults without evidence of two MMR vaccinations
- People travelling internationally
- Healthcare, education and childcare workers
- University students and people in shared accommodation
- People exposed during a measles outbreak
- People born abroad with incomplete records
Current Childhood Vaccination Schedule
From January 2026, younger children are routinely offered the combined MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
- First routine MMRV dose at around 12 months
- Second routine MMRV dose at around 18 months
- Catch-up arrangements depend on the child’s date of birth
- MMR remains available for older children and adults requiring catch-up protection
Parents should check their child’s NHS vaccination record or contact their GP surgery if they are unsure which doses are due.
MMR Catch-Up Vaccination for Children, Adults and Travellers
Hampstead Travel Clinic provides private MMR vaccination for suitable older children and adults who need catch-up protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Our experienced pharmacy team will review your age, previous vaccination history, travel plans and medical circumstances before advising whether vaccination is appropriate.
Who Should Check Their MMR Vaccination Record?
Measles outbreaks continue to occur in the UK and internationally. People without two recorded doses should check their vaccination history before travelling, starting university, working in healthcare or having close contact with vulnerable patients.
- People without two recorded doses
- Travellers preparing to go abroad
- Adults unsure of childhood vaccination
- Healthcare and care-sector workers
- Nursery, school and childcare staff
- University and college students
- People living in shared accommodation
- Those advised to catch up during an outbreak
Your MMR Vaccination Appointment
We will review your vaccination history and ensure that a live vaccine is clinically suitable before proceeding.
Check Your Records
Bring your NHS app, GP record or previous vaccination documents.
Clinical Assessment
We review pregnancy, medicines, immune conditions and allergies.
Receive Your Vaccine
When suitable, the MMR vaccine is administered by injection.
Plan Any Second Dose
Where needed, we explain when the next dose should be given.
MMR Vaccination Before International Travel
Measles remains common in many parts of the world and outbreaks can affect countries that are normally considered low risk. Travellers should make sure they are appropriately vaccinated before departure.
- Check that you have evidence of two MMR-containing doses
- Arrange catch-up vaccination before travelling where possible
- Check children’s records before family holidays
- Seek advice for babies travelling to an outbreak area
- Avoid travelling while unwell with a fever and rash
- Tell healthcare professionals about recent international travel
- Seek urgent advice following known measles exposure
Private MMR Vaccination in Hampstead, North West London
Hampstead Travel Clinic is located inside Allchin Pharmacy at 28 Englands Lane, London, NW3 4UE. We provide private MMR catch-up vaccination for suitable older children and adults from Hampstead and surrounding North West London areas. Same-day or short-notice appointments may be available, subject to clinical suitability, pharmacist availability and vaccine stock.
- Hampstead
- Belsize Park
- Swiss Cottage
- Finchley Road
- St John’s Wood
- Primrose Hill
- West Hampstead
- Camden
- Kentish Town
- Gospel Oak
- Chalk Farm
- Golders Green
- Kilburn
- Highgate
MMR Vaccination FAQs
Helpful answers for parents, adults and travellers considering private MMR catch-up vaccination in Hampstead.
What does the MMR vaccine protect against?
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. These are separate viral infections that can all cause significant complications.
Two recorded doses provide the best protection against all three illnesses.
What is the difference between MMR and MMRV?
MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella. MMRV also includes protection against varicella, the virus that causes chickenpox.
From January 2026, MMRV became part of the routine childhood vaccination programme. MMR remains available for older children and adults who need catch-up vaccination.
How many MMR vaccine doses do I need?
Two recorded MMR-containing doses are generally recommended for the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
Someone who has already received one suitable dose may only need one further dose. Bring any available vaccination records to your appointment.
Can adults have the MMR vaccine?
Yes. Adults who did not receive two doses when younger or cannot confirm their vaccination history may be able to receive catch-up MMR vaccination.
It is especially important to check protection before international travel, healthcare work, university or close contact with vulnerable people.
Do I need MMR vaccination before travelling?
Travellers should be appropriately protected because measles outbreaks continue to occur in many countries and infection can spread rapidly through airports, aircraft and crowded settings.
Check whether you have evidence of two doses before departure.
How long before travelling should I have the vaccine?
Arrange vaccination as early as possible before travel. Where two doses are required, they are normally separated by a minimum interval determined by current clinical guidance.
Contact the clinic even if departure is close, as a healthcare professional can advise what protection may still be possible.
What if I cannot find my vaccination records?
Check the NHS App, your GP record, childhood health documents, school records or previous occupational health records.
If reliable records cannot be found, the pharmacist can assess your history and advise on appropriate catch-up vaccination.
Can children have private MMR vaccination?
Private MMR vaccination may be available for suitable older children who require catch-up protection.
Younger children may be eligible for MMRV or catch-up vaccination through the NHS. Parents should check with their GP before arranging a private appointment.
Can babies have an early MMR dose before travel?
Babies aged 6 to 11 months may sometimes be offered an early MMR-containing vaccine dose when travelling to an area with a significant measles risk or following specialist public health advice.
Early infant vaccination requires individual clinical assessment and does not necessarily replace the routine doses due later.
Can I have the MMR vaccine during pregnancy?
No. MMR is a live vaccine and is not normally administered during pregnancy.
Tell the pharmacist if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or are planning a pregnancy. Pregnant people exposed to measles or rubella should seek urgent medical advice.
Can I have MMR while breastfeeding?
MMR vaccination can generally be given while breastfeeding, subject to the usual clinical assessment.
Tell the pharmacist about breastfeeding and any relevant medical conditions before vaccination.
Can immunosuppressed people have the MMR vaccine?
MMR is a live vaccine and may be unsuitable for people who are severely immunosuppressed or receiving certain treatments.
Specialist advice may be needed. Do not stop prescribed medication before vaccination unless instructed by your treating clinician.
What are the common MMR vaccine side effects?
Common temporary effects can include discomfort around the injection site, a temperature, mild rash, swollen glands or feeling generally unwell.
Reactions may occur several days after vaccination. The pharmacist will explain what to expect and when to seek medical advice.
Can the MMR vaccine cause autism?
No reliable evidence links the MMR vaccine with autism. The claim originated from a publication that was later discredited and withdrawn.
Large studies involving many thousands of children have found no causal association between MMR vaccination and autism.
Do you offer same-day MMR vaccination?
Same-day or short-notice appointments may sometimes be available, subject to pharmacist availability, vaccine stock, age and clinical suitability.
Contact Hampstead Travel Clinic before attending so our team can confirm current availability.
Where is Hampstead Travel Clinic located?
Hampstead Travel Clinic is based inside Allchin Pharmacy at 28 Englands Lane, London, NW3 4UE.
Our clinic is convenient for patients from Hampstead, Belsize Park, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road, St John’s Wood, West Hampstead, Camden and surrounding North West London areas.
Book Your Private MMR Vaccination
Arrange a private MMR catch-up vaccination assessment with our experienced pharmacy team in Hampstead. We will review your records, travel plans and clinical suitability before recommending the appropriate vaccination course.
What Our Clients Say
“Directed here by my niece. Wonderful! Friendly staff in a cozy pharmacy packed with everything you could need. ”
“Nice staff particularly regular pharmacist. Gave me my flu jab painlessly”
“I have been going here for over a decade. The Chief pharmacist always goes out his way to assist me, the rest are also always friendly, polite and helpful.”
“Best local travel clinic. Really friendly and helpful staff. Very quick service.”
