MMR is the combined vaccine that protects against the following diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella.

The vaccine was introduced in 1988. Since then, the number of children who catch these diseases has fallen to an all-time low.

The first MMR vaccination is given to children at around 13 months of age. A booster dose is given before they start school (usually between three and five years of age).

The vaccine contains weakened versions of live measles, mumps and rubella viruses (see box, left). Because the viruses are weakened, people who have recently had the vaccine cannot infect other people.

Measles, mumps and rubella have serious complications, which is why it is important that your child is vaccinated against them (see Why it should be taken, above).

Currently, there are no licensed single vaccines in the UK for either measles or mumps.

Measles, mumps and rubella vaccines are not available separately on the NHS.

The NHS does not recommend single measles, mumps or rubella vaccines because there is no evidence to support the use of single vaccines or to suggest that they are 'safer' than MMR. Having single vaccines puts your child at risk of catching measles, mumps or rubella in the gaps between the vaccines.

The NHS does not keep a list of private clinics that provide single vaccines. Any clinic that does offer these privately are unlicensed, which means there is no British testing on their safety and effectiveness.

No country in the world recommends MMR and then offers parents a choice of having single vaccines instead. Every independent expert group around the world (including the World Health Organization) supports the use of MMR, and none support the use of single vaccines.

Source: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/MMR/Pages/Introduction.aspx