What is the difference between MMRV, MMR, and V vaccines?
MMRV, MMR, and V are all different vaccines, but all equally effective.
- MMR vaccine vaccinates for measles, mumps, rubella
- Varicella (V) vaccine vaccinates against Varicella (chickenpox)
- MMRV vaccine vaccinates against measles, mumps, rubella, and Varicella (chickenpox)
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- It combines MMR+V into one vaccine
Is the MMRV vaccine still recommended?
- Yes. The only thing that’s changed is when children can receive the combined MMRV vaccine.
- New Recommendation:
- First dose (12–18 months): MMR+V (separate MMR and Varicella vaccines)
- MMRV is no longer recommended for children under the age of 4, regardless of parental preference.
- Second dose (4–6 years) has not changed.
- Children can receive MMRV OR MMR+V (two different vaccines/shots)
- First dose (12–18 months): MMR+V (separate MMR and Varicella vaccines)
- Other professional organizations have published their recommendations that differ from CDC’s recommendations:
- Parents who want their children under the age of 4 to receive the combined vaccine should speak with their pediatrician. They should also contact their insurance provider to see if it will be covered.
Can my child get the combined MMRV vaccine for the first dose if I want them to?
- Talk with your child’s pediatrician about which vaccine dose is best for your child.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) vaccine recommendations has no preference between the MMR and MMRV vaccines as a first dose.
- This recommendation is different than CDC’s recommendation.
- If your child has private insurance, contact them to see if a first dose MMRV vaccine is covered for your child. You may have to pay out of pocket.
- If your child has Medicaid or gets vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program (for uninsured children), the combined MMRV vaccine will NOT be covered unless in the provider's medical judgment, and in accordance with accepted medical practice, the provider deems such compliance to be medically inappropriate for the child.
Why was the change to the MMRV vaccine made?
- This change was made because the known rare risk of a febrile seizure after the first dose of the MMRV vaccine is slightly higher than from the MMR vaccine alone.
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- This risk is an estimated 1 additional febrile seizure per 2300-2600 children vaccinated (0.04%).
Should I be concerned about MMRV vaccine and febrile seizures?
- The most common trigger for febrile seizures is a viral infection. This trigger means vaccination can help prevent febrile seizures by preventing infections.
- Febrile seizures are a rare occurrence following MMR and MMRV vaccines.
- It’s a very small, well-understood risk.
- Febrile seizures are brief, usually harmless convulsions triggered by fever in young children.
- About 1 in 3,000 (0.03%) children may experience a febrile seizure after their first dose of the MMR vaccine.
- This risk is much lower than the risk of febrile seizures in the general population (2-5%).
- The risk after the first dose of the MMRV vaccine is slightly higher than from the MMR vaccine alone.
- An estimated 1 additional febrile seizure per 2300-2600 children vaccinated (0.04%).
- Talk with your pediatrician about what MMRV vaccine is best for your child.
- Learn More
Where can I find more information about the MMRV vaccine?